Comparative form: "er" or "more" .....

Definition

• We use -er for short words (1 syllable):
  

cheap / cheaper, large / larger , fast / faster, thin / thinner

• We also use -er for 2-syllable words ending in "y" (-y / -ier):
  

lucky / luckier, easy / easier, early / earlier, pretty / prettier

• We use more for longer words (2 syllables or more):

more modern, more serious, more expensive, more comfortable, more interesting

• Some irregular forms:
  

good /well...better, bad / badly...worse, far...farther

• We use more for adverbs ending in "ly":

more slowly, more seriously, more quietly, more carefully

• You can use -er or more with some 2-syllable adjectives such as:

quiet, clever, narrow, shallow, simple

Examples

Is it cheaper to go by car or by plain?

You're more patient than me.

Can you walk a bit faster?

The exam was more difficult than we expected.

I'd like to have a bigger car.

Can you walk a bit more slowly?

Last night I went to bed earlier than usual.

I'd like to have a more reliable car.

Exercises

Complete using a comparative form:

1. It's too noisy here. Can we go somewhere ........... ?
   
   
2. This coffee is very weak. I like it a bit ............



3. The hotel was surprisingly cheap. I expected to be ...................



4. The weather is too cold in this country. I'd like to live somewhere ................



5. My job is a bit boring sometimes. I'd like to do something ..................



6. I was surprised how easy it was to use this computer. I thought it would be ..................



7. Your work isn't very good. I'm sure you can do ..................



8. Don't worry. The situation isn't so bad. It could be .................



9. I was surprised we got here so quickly. I expected the trip to take ....................



10. You're talking very loudly. Can you speak a bit ..............?



11. You hardly ever call me. Why don't you call me ................?



12. You're standing too close to the camera. Can you move a bit ................. away?



13. You were a bit depressed yesterday but you look .................. today.

Complete using one of the following: big, interested, crowded, peaceful, simple, thin (use than if necessary)

1. You look .................. Have you lost weight?


2. I want a ............... apartment. We don't have enough space here.


3. There were a lot of people on the bus. It was .............. usual.


4. I like living in the countryside. It's ................. living in a city.


5. He doesn't study very hard. He's more ................ in having a good time.


6. The instructions were very complicated. They could have been ............