Comparatives
Read and listen to four conversations using the grammar.
Conversation 1
Man: I see you got a new phone.
Woman: Yeah, I just got it yesterday.
Man: How is it?
Woman: Great. It is better than my last phone. It is also lighter.
Man: How's the camera? Does it take better pictures?
Woman: Yes. The pictures are great. The images are brighter and sharper. Much prettier than before.
Man: Sounds great. I should get a new phone as well.
Woman: Well, if you do buy it online, it's cheaper.
Man: Good advice. I think I'll do that.
Conversation 2
Man: How is your online class going?
Woman: Good. It's better than I expected.
Man: Oh, I'm happy to hear that.
Woman: Yeah, it's more convenient to study at home and it is also more relaxing.
Man: How so?
Woman: Well, I don't have to get dressed or go sit at a desk.
Man: Plus you can get up later.
Woman: Yes. That is a big advantage. However, it's more interesting to study with people in class.
Man: Yeah, for some, I suppose. But not everyone.
Conversation 3
Man: So do you prefer cats or dogs?
Woman: I prefer dogs. They're much more playful.
Man: That may be true, but cats are cheaper. They don't eat as much as dogs.
Woman: That is true. Dogs eat a lot, so they usually are more expensive. However, smaller dogs don't eat so much.
Man: Also, cats are easier to take care of. Dogs are more demanding.
Woman: Usually. Plus you don't have to walk cats.
Man: I want a dog actually, but I need a bigger place if I get one.
Woman: You would. Your place is too small.
Conversation 4
Man: What do you usually do for dinner?
Woman: I usually cook at home. I never go out.
Man: Really? I never cook. I always eat out.
Woman: You should cook more. It's much healthier and cheaper
Man: Maybe, but eating out is more convenient and it's easier.
Woman: Not always. Plus, it is much more expensive to eat out all the time. Cooking is much cheaper.
Man: Not for me. When I buy groceries, I always end up wasting it. Plus cooking is more stressful. It is more relaxing to eat in a restaurant
Woman: Maybe, but cooking is more enjoyable. I could never eat out every night.
Comparatives
Use the comparative to show that something has a greater quality of some trait compared to another subject.
One Syllable / -er
small – smaller - This book is
smaller than that book.
cold – colder - Alaska is
colder than Hawaii.
young – younger - You are
younger than your parents.
One Syllable ends in /e/ -r
safe – safer - Japan is safer
than most countries.
nice – nicer - The weather is
nicer in summer.
close – closer - His house is
closer to the airport than mine.
Consonant + Vowel + Consonant -(x)er
hot – hotter - It is usually
hotter at noon than midnight.
big – bigger - My town is
bigger than before.
fat – fatter - I am always a
little fatter after the holidays.
Two Syllables end in /y/ -ier
happy – happier - I am happier
now than before.
angry – angrier - The boss is
angrier in the morning.
pretty – prettier - That shirt
looked prettier on you.
Two or More Syllables >> more -
dangerous – more dangerous
The city is more dangerous now.
expensive – more expensive
Everything is more expensive these days.
difficult – more difficult
This test is more difficult than the last one.
Irregular
good – better - Life was
better before.
bad – worse - I am still sick.
I feel worse than yesterday.
Gap Fill: Complete the conversation with the correct word!
