Compare two people in your friend group. How are they similar and different in terms of personality, physical characteristics, and interests?

I have two close friends, Anna and Brian, and they are very different, but I like spending time with both of them. Anna is taller than Brian [is], but he can jump higher than she can when they play sports together. She has longer hair than he does, but he likes his hair short.

And their personalities are different, too. Anna is more outgoing than Brian and talks more confidently than he does at parties. Brian is quieter than Anna, but he is friendlier than most people expect.

When it comes to work, Brian works more quickly than Anna. He studies more regularly than she does and finishes assignments faster, too. That said, Anna is more creative than Brian and comes up with ideas more quickly than most people do. I mean in whatever they do.

Even their hobbies show differences. Anna likes painting more than Brian . . . and actually, he doesn’t like painting at all, and he says he can only draw stick figures. Oh, and he enjoys sports more than she does. As you can imagine, Anna spends less time outdoors than Brian does, and he reads less than Anna, but they often talk about their hobbies and interests together.

Still, despite all the differences, Anna and Brian are great friends, and that’s what really matters.

We use comparatives to show how two people, places, things, or actions are different or the same. Comparatives express greater, equal, or lesser amounts or qualities. The correct form depends on the number of syllables in the adjective or adverb.

Greater Comparisons (showing more)

• One syllable: add -er → taller, faster, colder
• Two syllables ending in -y: change -y to -ier → happier, earlier
• Two or more syllables: use more + adjective/adverb → more comfortable, more carefully
• With action verbs: use more + adverb → “She works more quietly than I do.”

Equal Comparisons (showing the same)

• Use as + adjective/adverb + as
  ➤ “This backpack is as heavy as that one is.”
  ➤ “He studies as hard as his brother does.”

Lesser Comparisons (showing less)

• Use less + adjective/adverb + than
  ➤ “That exam was less difficult than last week’s was.”
  ➤ “He runs less quickly than his teammate does.”

Examples (with verbs for formality):

• “My apartment is bigger than yours.”
• “This hotel is as expensive as that one.”
• “I’m less tired than I was yesterday.”
• “She drives more carefully than he does.”

Comparatives help you give opinions, describe people and places, and compare actions in natural conversation. Whether you’re saying someone is faster, just as skilled, or less talkative, knowing how to use greater, equal, and lesser comparisons helps you speak clearly and understand others better.

Everyday Listening and Speaking Uses:

• Describing people and things
  
  • “My brother is taller than I am.”
  • “This class is as interesting as the last one was.”
  • “That meal was less spicy than I expected.”
• Comparing actions
  
  • “She works harder than he does.”
  • “I speak English as well as my friend does.”
  • “They drive less carefully than we do.”
• Making decisions and giving opinions
  
  • “This one is cheaper, but that one is better.”
  • “I think today is as cold as yesterday was.”

Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.

These questions help you compare people, things, and actions using expressions like “taller than,” “as smart as,” or “less busy than.” Try using full comparison forms in your answers, especially in formal settings (e.g., “than I am,” “as fast as he is”). Listen closely when others use comparatives and try to ask follow-up questions.

1. Compare People You Know
   • Who is taller, older, or more active in your family?
     ➤ Example: “My dad is taller than I am.”
     ➤ Example: “My sister is as organized as I am.”
2. Compare Abilities or Habits
   • Who studies harder or speaks more fluently: you or a friend?
     ➤ Example: “He studies harder than I do.”
     ➤ Example: “I speak English as clearly as she does.”
3. Talk About Places
   • Is your town safer, busier, or less noisy than another city?
     ➤ Example: “My city is less crowded than Tokyo is.”
4. Compare Yourself to the Past
   • Are you more confident, faster, or less nervous now than last year?
     ➤ Example: “I’m more confident than I was before.”
5. Ask About Daily Routines
   • Who wakes up earlier or works more carefully in your house?
     ➤ Example: “My brother wakes up earlier than I do.”
6. Practice Equal and Lesser Forms
   • Who is as helpful as you? Who is less tired than you today?
     ➤ Example: “My teammate is as helpful as I am.”
     ➤ Example: “I’m less tired than I was yesterday.”