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High Beginner

GRAMMAR

LESSON 4:

Comparatives 2

Goal

I can use comparative adverbs with than.

Grammar Point

Read the grammar point with your tutor.

Use than with comparative adverbs to compare how two people, groups, or things do something.

  • The form is [comparative adverb] + than. To make a comparative adverb, add -er or -r to most regular one-syllable adverbs.

ONE-SYLLABLE ADVERB

COMPARATIVE FORM

high

higher

late

later

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ex

I usually drive faster than Vicky.

ex

My daughter studies harder than my son.

  • For other regular adverbs, add more before the adverb.

OTHER REGULAR ADVERB

COMPARATIVE FORM

smoothly

more smoothly

efficiently

more efficiently

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ex

I walk more slowly than my friend.

ex

Donna dances more gracefully than Kyle.

Be careful: Some native speakers use informal comparative forms, but they are generally not considered to be correct. Please do NOT use informal comparative forms in this lesson.

CORRECT COMPARATIVE FORM

INFORMAL COMPARATIVE FORM

more quickly

quicker

more slowly

slower

more loudly

louder

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I eat quicker than my friend.

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I eat more quickly than my friend.

  • Irregular adverbs do not follow the general rules. You have to memorize their comparative forms.

IRREGULAR ADVERB

COMPARATIVE FORM

well

better

badly

worse

early

earlier

much/a lot

more

a little

less

far

farther/further*

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*no difference in meaning in many contexts

ex

You sing better than Mike.

ex

I speak less than my sister.

  • After than, you can use a noun by itself or a noun with a verb. The meaning does not change. When using a verb, it is common to replace the original verb with do.

ex

I run faster than my sister.

ex

I run faster than my sister does.

ex

In high school I ran faster than my sister.

ex

In high school I ran faster than my sister did.

  • You can also use a pronoun after than. Both the subject and object forms of pronouns are grammatically acceptable.** There is no difference in their meaning, but the subject form tends to sound more formal.

**some native speakers may feel that subject forms are more correct

SUBJECT FORM

OBJECT FORM

I

me

you

you

he

him

she

her

it

it

we

us

they

them

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ex

I run faster than her.

ex

I run faster than she(formal)

Be careful: You cannot use the object form of a pronoun with a verb after than. Drop the verb or use the subject form instead.

I run faster than her does.

Sorry, your browser does not support inline SVG.

I run faster than her.

Sorry, your browser does not support inline SVG.

I run faster than she does.

Sentence Builder

Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
Build new sentences using the grammar point, the original sentences, and the words in parentheses. The form of some words may need to be changed.
ex

She studies harder than John does.

(I)
   She studies harder than I do   .
(my daughter)
   She studies harder than my daughter does   .
  • Anna dances more gracefully than her friends do.

(Tina)
                            .
(we)
                            .
  • My mom drives more slowly than my dad.

(far)
                            .
(carefully)
                            .
  • Greg wakes up earlier than me.

(his roommate)
                            .
(we)
                            .
  • I sing better than my friends do.

(a lot)
                            .
(badly)
                            .
  • Mike talks more loudly than Clint.

(fast)
                            .
(a little)
                            .

Practice

Make sentences using the grammar point, the words, and the picture clues. The form of some words may need to be changed.

ex

Ted vs. Emma: eat slowly

Emma eats more slowly than Ted (does).
ex

Ted vs. Emma: eat slowly

Emma eats more slowly than Ted (does).
  • Sarah vs. her friends: sing badly

  • my cat vs. my dog: jump high

  • Dianne vs. Jack: drink a little

  • she vs. he: dance gracefully

  • Dylan vs. his parents: drive fast

  • my son vs. my daughter: sleep a lot

  • she vs. he: talk loudly

  • my sister vs. my mom: speak English well

  • Brad vs. his daughter: go to bed early

  • AJ vs. Seth: study hard

Q&A

Answer the questions using the grammar point and your own information.
  • you vs. your best friend: Who speaks English better?

  • your mom vs. your dad: Who sings worse?

  • you vs. your best friend: Who eats faster?

  • your mom vs. your dad: Who talks more loudly?

  • you vs. your best friend in high school: Who studied harder?

  • you vs. your best friend: Who drinks alcohol more?

  • your mom vs. your dad: Who wakes up earlier?

  • you vs. your friends: Who goes out on weekends more?

  • you vs. your best friend: Who goes to bed later?

  • you vs. your best friend: Who exercises less?