Basics. Comparative Adjectives: Short, Long, and Irregular Forms: correct answers
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When comparing two things in English, we use comparative adjectives. For short words, we typically add -er (like smaller or steeper), while longer words take more (like more comfortable). You also have to watch out for irregular forms, such as using better instead of "gooder" or worse instead of "badder."
This challenge tests your ability to form these comparisons in a variety of fun scenarios. You will help a harsh food critic review rival cafes, an alien pick out the perfect spaceship, and a time travel agent pitch historical vacation packages. Along the way, you'll practice spelling rules for adjectives ending in -y (like busier and heavier), using more with multi-syllable words (like more energetic), and identifying grammatically correct irregular forms.
You'll work through 12 questions in a mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats. Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
The appetizer was actually worse than the reviews claimed... However, the main course was surprisingly more delicious than anything... ...this chef is much better at cooking entrees...
Worse is the irregular comparative form of "bad."
More delicious is used because "delicious" is an adjective with three or more syllables, so we use "more" instead of adding "-er."
Better is the irregular comparative form of "good."
Question 2
The correct answers are The food in the year 2050 is worse than the feasts in Ancient Rome. and Ancient Rome is farther from our current time than 2050 is.
Worse is the correct irregular comparative form of bad.
Farther (or further) is the correct irregular comparative form of far.
"Badder" is grammatically incorrect; the comparative of bad is never formed by adding "-er".
"More better" is incorrect because it is a double comparative. Better is already a comparative adjective, so it does not need more.
Question 3
Help the exhausted hiker compare the two mountain trails by dragging the correct adjectives to the blanks.
The Northern Trail was much steeper than the map suggested. My backpack felt heavier with every step, and the afternoon sun was noticeably hotter than it was yesterday.
The Northern Trail was much steeper than the map suggested. My backpack felt heavier with every step, and the afternoon sun was noticeably hotter than it was yesterday.
For short adjectives (one syllable), add "-er" (steep $\rightarrow$ steeper).
If a two-syllable adjective ends in "-y", change the "y" to "i" and add "-er" (heavy $\rightarrow$ heavier).
If a short adjective ends in a single vowel + consonant, double the final consonant before adding "-er" (hot $\rightarrow$ hotter).
Question 4
My older brother thinks he is smarter than me... ...but I am definitely funnier. Also, my side of the bedroom is always cleaner than his side...
For short, one-syllable adjectives like "smart" and "clean," we add -er to make the comparative form (smarter, cleaner).
For two-syllable adjectives ending in "y" like "funny," we change the "y" to "i" and add "-er" (funnier).
Question 5
Complete the food critic's harsh (but funny) review of a new restaurant.
I thought the soup was terrible, but the main course was actually ______ than the appetizer!
The correct answer is worse.
The adjective "bad" has an irregular comparative form. We do not add "-er" or use "more"; instead, "bad" changes completely to worse when comparing two things. "Worst" is the superlative form used for three or more things.
Question 6
...bedroom—is much smaller than your current room... ...but it is so much easier to clean! ...it is definitely cheaper to heat in the winter.
We use the comparative form (adding -er) when comparing two things, often followed by "than."
One-syllable adjectives take "-er" (smaller, cheaper).
Two-syllable adjectives ending in "y" drop the "y" and add "-ier" (easier). Notice how words like "much" can be used before a comparative adjective to make it stronger!
Question 7
The correct answers are The Zorg is heavier than the Blip. and The Zorg is bigger than the Blip.
Heavier correctly applies the rule for two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" (heavy → heavier).
Bigger correctly doubles the final consonant for short, one-syllable adjectives ending in a consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) pattern (big → bigger).
"Intelligenter" is incorrect because intelligent has four syllables and must use "more" (more intelligent).
"More big" is incorrect because big is a one-syllable adjective and must take the "-er" suffix (bigger).
Question 8
Help the alien choose a new spaceship by selecting the grammatically correct word or phrase.
The X-9000 model is incredibly fast, but the Z-200 is definitely ______ for long trips across the galaxy.
The correct answer is more comfortable.
For long adjectives (usually three or more syllables, like com-fort-a-ble), we form the comparative by adding more before the adjective. We never add "-er" to the end of these long words, and we certainly don't use both!
Question 9
Complete the roommates' debate about getting a pet by dragging the correct words into the gaps.
"A puppy is definitely more energetic than a turtle," argued Sam.
"True," replied Alex, "but turtles are much quieter, and they are cheaper to feed than dogs."
"A puppy is definitely more energetic than a turtle," argued Sam.
"True," replied Alex, "but turtles are much quieter, and they are cheaper to feed than dogs."
"Energetic" is a long adjective, so it needs "more" to form the comparative.
"Quiet" is a two-syllable adjective that usually takes "-er" to become "quieter."
Finally, always use the conjunction "than" (not "then") to connect the two things being compared!
Question 10
Complete the tired barista's text message to her coworker.
The morning shift at the downtown cafe is always much ______ than the afternoon shift.
The correct answer is busier.
For two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" (like busy, happy, or funny), we form the comparative by changing the "y" to "i" and adding "-er".
Question 11
The correct answers are The coffee at Bean There is better than the coffee at Mug Shots. and Mug Shots is usually busier than Bean There on weekends.
Better is the correct irregular comparative form of the adjective good.
Busier is correct because two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y" change the "y" to "i" and add "-er" (busy → busier).
"More fresher" is incorrect because it uses a double comparative; fresh is a one-syllable adjective and only needs "-er" (fresher).
"Comfortabler" is incorrect because adjectives with three or more syllables use "more" (more comfortable).
Question 12
Complete the food critic's slightly dramatic review by dragging the correct words into the blanks.
The pizza was actually better than I expected, but the pasta was definitely worse than my grandmother's. Also, the tiny chocolate dessert was significantly more expensive than a new pair of shoes!
The pizza was actually better than I expected, but the pasta was definitely worse than my grandmother's. Also, the tiny chocolate dessert was significantly more expensive than a new pair of shoes!
"Good" and "bad" are irregular adjectives; their comparative forms are "better" and "worse."
For long adjectives with three or more syllables (like "expensive"), we form the comparative by adding "more" before the adjective.