Line英会話クラス

Lesson Plan May 12, 2023

Topic: Comparisons 01

In this lesson we will be looking at comparison adjectives (-er & more)

Section A

The comparative form is adjective+er or more + adjective

We use -er for short words (one syllable)

• cheap —> cheaper

• fast —> faster

• large —> larger

• thin —> thinner

We also use -er for two-syllable words that end in -y

• lucky —> luckier

• early —> earlier

• easy —> easier

• pretty —> prettier

We use more for longer words (two syllables or more)

• serious —> more serious

• often —> more often

• expensive —> more expensive

• comfortable —> more comfortable

We also use more for adverbs that end in -ly

• slowly —> more slowly

• seriously —> more seriously

• easily —> more easily

• quietly —> more quietly

Section B

Look at these examples

• Rome is old, but Athens is older. (NOT more old)

• Is it cheaper to go by train or by plane?

• Helen wants a smaller house.

• This coat is OK, but I think I like the other coat better.

• Don’t take a taxi. It’s easier to go by train.

• You’re younger than me.

• The exam was quite easy — easier than I expected.

• Can you walk a bit faster?

• I’d like to have a bigger yard.

• Last night I went to bed earlier than usual.

• You’re a lot more patient than me.

• The recipe for lasagna was more difficult than I imagined.

• Can you drive a bit more slowly?

• I’d like to have a more reliable job.

• I don’t play tennis much these days. I used to play more often.

Lesson Notes

• The price of tickets on the Odakyu line went up by ten yen sometime ago. (= an unknown time)

• Maybe all the train lines upped their prices. (Up (verb); to increase by a level or amount)

Compare farther and further

• Further (in British English) and Farther (in Canadian English) are similar and can be used to talk about distance

• “Kobe is (further / farther) than Osaka.”

• “It’s a long walk from here to the park — (further / farther) than I thought.”

• The word "further" is typically used to indicate something that is additional or more advanced in degree or quantity.

• "I need to further my education, I think I’ll go back to university.”

• "We need to discuss this further.”

• “Let me know if you hear any further news.”

Irregular Adjectives

The are some exceptions to the comparative rules, and irregular adjectives do not follow this pattern and need to be memorized.

The following two-syllable adjectives are irregular can use -er or more

• clever; cleverer / more clever

• narrow; narrower / more narrow

• quiet; quieter / more quiet

• shallow; shallower / more shallow

• simple: simpler / more simple

It’s important to note that in some cases, both forms of the above comparatives may be acceptable, but one may be more commonly used or preferred.