Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: Preliminary

Vocabulary practice for the Cambridge PET exam

Grammar: Comparatives and Superlatives

1: Work it Out

The comparative forms of adjectives and adverbs are used to say something is bigger or smaller, more exciting or less expensive than something else. But when do you use 'er' and when should you use 'more' or 'less'? And do you have to make any spelling changes to the adjective or adverb? Look at these sentences. Can you work out the rules?

Sally is taller than Gill.
Everest is higher than Kilimanjaro.
The Ford Mondeo is bigger than the Fiesta.
I now leave for work earlier than I used to.
The food is less expensive here than in town.
I thought the book would be more interesting.

Try the quiz below to check your ideas.

2: Check Comparatives

Complete each sentence by typing the correct comparative form:

A) The shops are a lot (QUIET) than usual.

B) I feel much (FIT) since I started doing exercise.

C) The girl was much (PRETTY) than she seemed in her photo.

D) I think I'll go into town on Sunday when it's quiet and (CROWDED) ?

E) This sofa is a bit hard. Have you got something (COMFORTABLE) ?

Well done! We use 'er' for short, one and some two syllable adjectives and adverbs. Those with one syllable ending in a vowel and a consonant double the consonant. Those ending in 'y' drop the 'y' and add 'ier'. Other two syllable and longer words use 'more' or 'less'. The correct answers are A) quieter, B) fitter, C) prettier, D) less crowded, E) more comfortable. We use 'er' for short, one and some two syllable adjectives and adverbs. Those with one syllable ending in a vowel and a consonant (hot, big) double the consonant (hotter, bigger). Those ending in 'y' drop the 'y' and add 'ier' (heavy, heavier). Other two syllable and longer adjectives use 'more' or 'less' (less interesting, more expensive). Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

 

 

3: Sentence Transformation

For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.

1. Tim rarely goes to a football match.
Tim does........................................ to a football match.

A) The hotel room wasn't as small as the last one we stayed in.
The hotel room the last one we stayed in.

B) The advert said the tickets cost £5 but we had to pay £6.
The tickets were was advertised.

C) I thought the bag would be light but it wasn't.
The bag I thought.

D) I felt very tired yesterday but I'm OK today.
Yesterday I felt I do today.

E) The exercise was very easy compared to the one we did last week.
The exercise we did last week was yesterday's one.

F) I had much more work to do today than I usually have.
I usual today.

Well done!The correct answers are: A) was bigger than, B) more expensive than, C) was heavier than, D) more tired than, E) more difficult than, F) was busier than Your answer has been saved.Check your answer

 

Study Tip, Grammar

Practise these comparative forms by using objects around you. For example:

This table is older than the other pieces of furniture in the room.
The book I'm reading is more interesting than the last one.
The garden is looking less tidy than usual.