Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 105 · B1

Comparative 1 (cheaper, more expensive etc.)

Short words take -er (cheaper, earlier); longer words and -ly adverbs take more (more expensive, more slowly). Good, bad and far go their own way: better, worse, further.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

ComparativesA1 screen of questions
-er or moreB2 screens of questions
better, worse, furtherC1 screen of questions
Put it together+6 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

Comparatives

"Shall we drive to Cardiff or get the train?" "Let's drive. It's cheaper. Don't bother with the train. It's more expensive."

Cheaper and more expensive are comparatives. After a comparative you can use than (see Unit 107).

  • Let's drive. It's cheaper.
  • Don't get the train. It's more expensive.
  • It's cheaper to drive than get the train.
  • Getting the train is more expensive than driving.

Point A · Extra practice

Write the comparative of the adjective in brackets.

  1. Let's drive. It's than the train. (cheap)

  2. The train is than the coach. (expensive)

  3. Can you speak a bit ? I can't hear you. (loud)

Point B of 3

-er or more

-er more ...
short words (one syllable): cheap, cheaper; fast, faster; large, larger; thin, thinner longer words (two syllables or more): more serious, more expensive, more often
two-syllable words ending in -y: lucky, luckier; early, earlier; easy, easier adverbs ending in -ly: more slowly, more seriously, more quietly

Some two-syllable adjectives take either: clever, narrow, quiet, shallow, simple. For spelling, see Appendix 6.

  • You're older than me.
  • The test was quite easy, easier than I expected.
  • Can you walk a bit faster?
  • On Friday I got home later than usual.
  • You're more patient than me.
  • The test was quite hard, more difficult than I expected.
  • Could you read a bit more slowly?
  • I don't play squash much now. I used to play more often.
  • This café is packed. Shall we find somewhere calmer? (or more calm)

Point B · Exercise 105.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with the comparative of a word from the box. Use than where necessary.

Use these

bigearlyhighimportantinterestedpeacefulreliableseriousslowlythin

  1. Example

    I'd had a long day, so I got into bed earlier than normal.

    AnswerI'd had a long day, so I got into bed earlier than normal.

  2. Example

    I'd like a more reliable car. Mine keeps breaking down.

    AnswerI'd like a more reliable car. Mine keeps breaking down.

  3. Unfortunately the problem was we thought at first.

  4. You look . Have you lost weight?

  5. We haven't got enough room here. We need a house.

  6. Josh doesn't work very hard. He's in having a good time.

Point B · Exercise 105.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with the comparative of a word from the box. Use than where necessary.

Use these

bigearlyhighimportantinterestedpeacefulreliableseriousslowlythin

  1. Health and happiness are money.

  2. I like living in the countryside. It's living in a town.

  3. I'm not following. Could you explain it , please?

  4. In some parts of the country, house prices are in others.

Point C of 3

better, worse, further

Word Comparative
good, well better
bad, badly worse
far further (or farther)

Further, but not farther, can also mean more or additional.

  • The garden looks better since you sorted it out.
  • She sings beautifully, probably better than anyone in the choir.
  • "How's your back? Better?" "No, it's worse."
  • He did badly in the test, worse than expected.
  • It's a long walk to the beach, further than I thought.
  • Let me know if there's any further news. (any more news)

Point C · Extra practice

Put in better, worse or further.

  1. "How's your back?" "It's . I can hardly move."

  2. The garden looks much now you've tidied it.

  3. The station is than I thought. Let's get a taxi.

Put it together · Exercise 105.1 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with a comparative form.

  1. Example

    This hotel costs a fortune. Let's find somewhere cheaper.

    AnswerThis hotel costs a fortune. Let's find somewhere cheaper.

  2. This tea is very weak. I like it .

  3. The beach was surprisingly long. I'd expected it to be .

  4. The repair was surprisingly cheap. I'd expected it to be .

  5. Winters here are freezing. I'd love to live somewhere .

Put it together · Exercise 105.1 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with a comparative form.

  1. Sometimes my job is a bit dull. I'd like to do something .

  2. It's a pity your flat is miles from mine. I wish you lived .

  3. Passing my test was quite straightforward. I'd thought it would be .

  4. This essay is rushed. I know you're capable of .

Put it together · Exercise 105.1 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with a comparative form.

  1. Don't worry. Things aren't so bad. They could be .

  2. You hardly ever ring me. Why don't you ring ?

  3. You're right on top of the microphone. Could you stand a little back?

Put it together · Exercise 105.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these: than, more, worse, quietly, longer, better, careful, frequent.

Use these

thanmoreworsequietlylongerbettercarefulfrequent

  1. Example

    Assembling the wardrobe was a nightmare. It took longer than the instructions said.

    AnswerAssembling the wardrobe was a nightmare. It took longer than the instructions said.

  2. Sorry about the mistake. I'll try to be more in future.

  3. Your English has come on. It's than it was.

  4. You can get the bus or the train. The buses are more than the trains.

  5. You can't have everything at once. You have to be patient.

Put it together · Exercise 105.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with one of these: than, more, worse, quietly, longer, better, careful, frequent.

Use these

thanmoreworsequietlylongerbettercarefulfrequent

  1. My uncle is such a pessimist. He's convinced everything will get .

  2. We were busier usual at work today. It's not normally so hectic.

  3. The baby's asleep. Could you talk a little more ?

Put it together · Exercise 105.4

Read the situations and complete the sentences with a comparative.

  1. Example

    On Monday it was twelve degrees. Today it's only five. It's colder today than it was on Monday.

    AnswerIt's colder today than it was on Monday.

  2. Mia and I went swimming. I swam forty lengths. Mia got out after twenty-five. I swam Mia.

  3. The journey takes three hours by car and four by coach. The journey takes by coach by car.

  4. I expected my friends at about five. In fact they turned up at half three. My friends I expected.

  5. There's always a lot of traffic here, but today it's dreadful. The traffic today is usual.

Lesson 105 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Comparative 2 (much better / any better etc.)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. Comparatives–Not checkedB. -er or more–Not checkedC. better, worse, further–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked