Comparing People, Places and Things
Comparative
Use the comparative to form a comparison between two people, places, things, etc. The comparative form expresses that one object has more of a characteristic than the other. Begin the sentence with the first object followed by the use of 'than' for the second object.
Example:
We advanced the cause of diversity further this year than we did last year.
The timeline on this project is better for this project than it was on the last one.
Diplomacy is kinder than war.
Discrimination against sweets is funnier than discrimination against women.
The comparative adjective form is determined by the number of syllables in the adjective. The general rule is that all adjectives that have one syllable add '-er'. Adjectives with three syllables or more take 'more + adjective'. The following explanation provides examples and exceptions to these rules.
One Syllable Adjectives
Add '-er' to the end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel).
Example:
We are targeting people who are fatter than the norm.
Tax-exempt organizations are hotter this year.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Replace then final '-y' with '-ier'.
Example:
The diversification of a menu is easier to accomplish than the diversification of a neighborhood.
Discrimination against sweets is funnier than discrimination against women.
Two or More Syllable Adjectives
Place 'more' before the adjective.
Example:
Making sure your church qualifies for a tax exemption is more important than any theological concern.
We feel that full disclosure is more appropriate than secrecy.
Important Exceptions
good - better
bad - worse
fun - more fun
far - farther / further
Example:
We advanced the cause of diversity further this year than we did last year.
Our training is better this year than it was last year.
The timeline on this project is better for this project than it was on the last one.
As ... as
The form 'as as + adjective + as' expresses the fact that the characteristic is the same in each object. The negative form 'isn't / aren't as + adjective + as' can be used instead of the comparative. The adjective is not altered in this form.
Example:
The Umbrella Organization is as vast as the Titanic.
You're right to think that gaining a customer's trust isn't as easy as taking candy from a baby.
I'm afraid that achieving transparency isn't as easy as that.