Big and Small

Making Comparisons

in English

Created by Eric Damien Forsythe for the

Universidad del Papaloapan

English Program

We use adjectives to describe people or things.

The word Beautiful is an adjective.

Can you think of anything that is beautiful?

Paris is a beautiful city.Paris is a beautiful city.

Antwerp is a beautiful city, Antwerp is a beautiful city, too.too.

But, which city is more beautiful?

Paris, France or Antwerp, Belgium?

Use more to make comparisons with long words:Beautiful, Handsome, Famous, Expensive, etc.

(Everyone can have their own opinion about what is beautiful.)

Paris is more beautiful than Antwerp.or

Antwerp, Belgium is more beautiful than Paris, France

*Notice the use of than when making declarative statements.

Which cat is longer?

• The cat on the right is longer than the cat on the left.

• For long words we use more (more beautiful) and for short words we add the -er ending

• (long -> longer)

the cat on the rightthe cat on the rightthe cat on the leftthe cat on the left

Which one is higher?

The tabby cat is higher than the orange cat.

For many adjectives, you can use their opposites to make more sentences!

For example, the opposite of high is low.

The orange cat is lower than the tabby cat.

Another question of opinion…

Which animal is faster?

Comparisons: the verb to be

We have seen a lot of examples using is.Paris is more beautiful than London.

Ali is a greater boxer than Tyson.

Remember subject-verb agreement

To be continued ;)

We don’t always use is when making comparisons, sometimes it is necessary to use are or am.

You’re hungry but I’m hungrier than you! (contractions)

Hungry - y + ier = Hungrier

To be Part IIINotice the change from singular to plural

Gummi bears are sweeter than cola candies.

Gummi bears are more delicious than cola candies.

Irregular comparatives

There are a few words that don’t follow the (short word + er) or the (more + long word) rules.

These words are irregular.

Good -> BetterGood -> Better

Bad -> WorseBad -> Worse

Other verbsWe can use other verbs to make

comparisons.

Here is an example using to have.

Which animal has softer fur?

There is an awards show tonight in Hollywood!

Two beautiful actresses appear on the red carpet!

They are wearing the same dress!

Who wears it better?Who wears it better?

Salma or Amanda?Salma or Amanda?

Which one tastes better

I prefer pork “barbacoa”. :)

Watch and listen for

• BetterBetter• GreaterGreater• HigherHigher• SofterSofter• FasterFaster• LongerLonger• Wear betterWear better• SweeterSweeter

Warrior vs. Paladin: The Musical! is a machinima adaptation of the song Anything you can do I can do better by Irving Berlin. The song is part of the famous broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun.

Machinima is a combination of the words Machine + Cinema.It’s a way of making movies by using video games. In this example, the video game is World of Warcraft.