A Few Ways to Make Comparisons

There are many ways to make comparisons in English. The one we will explore today uses the word than.
An easy way to make a comparison is to begin by adding –er to an adjective (a word that describes something) that has one syllable.

• small - smaller = pequeño – más pequeño
• big – bigger = grande – más grande
• smart – smarter = inteligente – más inteligente
• young – younger = joven – más joven

If the adjective has two syllables but ends in –y, add –ier.

• happy – happier = feliz – más feliz 
• lucky – luckier = afortunado - más afortunado
• pretty – prettier = bonito – más bonito

So you can then make the comparison to an unknown.

• This car is smaller. = Este coche es más pequeño. 
• You are happier. = Eres más feliz.

When comparing two known things you can use the –er adjective + than.

• This car is smaller than my mother’s. = Este coche es más pequeño que el de mi madre.
• You are happier than Elsa. = Eres más feliz que Elsa.

What if you want to use an adjective that has two syllables or more to make a comparison? Not a problem. You will use more + the adjective.

• difficult – more difficult = difícil – más difícil
• beautiful – more beautiful = hermoso – más hermoso

And you can compare two things using more … than.

• This exam is more difficult than last year. = Este examen es más difícil que el  del  año pasado.
• The beach is more beautiful than the city. = La playa es más hermosa que la ciudad.