Comparative language is used to compare two or more things or show change.
It is especially important for effectively comparing and contrasting data or features in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.
You might also use comparative language if you are discussing two viewpoints in an IELTS Task 2 essay, or when responding to questions in the IELTS Speaking test. Comparative language can also appear in your Reading and Listening tests to describe how things are similar or different.
Let's look at some different types of comparative language.
Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between two nouns. They often end in -er for short adjectives or use more before longer adjectives.
Type of adjective | Comparative adjective rule | Example words | Example sentences |
|---|---|---|---|
Adjectives with one syllable | Add ‘er’ or ‘r’ +than | old late | The Tower of Pisa is older than the Eiffel Tower. Sam arrived later than Ali. |
Adjectives with two or more syllables | Add more or less + adjective + than | modern expensive | Electric cars are more modern than petrol vehicles. Cooking at home is less expensive than eating out. |
Adjectives with two syllables that end in ‘y’ | Change ‘y’ to ‘ier’ + than | easy healthy | My history test was easier than my chemistry test. Apples are healthier than chocolates. |
Adjectives that end with a single vowel and consonant | Double the final letter + ‘er’ + than | hot thin | Jamacia is hotter than Germany. Paper is thinner than cardboard. |
Irregular comparative adjectives | Do not follow a rule: learn the irregular form. | good – better than bad - worse than | I’m feeling better than yesterday. Today’s weather is worse than yesterday’s. |
Modifying Comparative Adjectives
If you want to give more information about how big a difference is, you can use a modifier before a comparative adjective.
Modifiers | Use | Example sentences |
|---|---|---|
much, far, a lot, a good deal, a great deal | To show big differences | The baby is much calmer now. Today’s training session was far more tiring than usual. House prices today are a great deal more expensive than they were in the past. |
not much, slightly, a bit, a little, not much | To show small differences | The bus is not much faster than the tram. Her mum is slightly older than her dad. My sister is a bit taller than me. |
as + adjective + as | To show something is the same | His car is as old as mine. The second series was as good as the first. |
not as + adjective + as | To show one thing is less than another thing | The book was not as exciting as the movie. He’s not as tall as his father. |
Subordinating Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words that join two ideas into one sentence. We often use subordinating conjunctions such as whereas, although and while to show a contrast.
Examples:
Engineering enrolments increased whereas biology enrolments decreased.
Although there was a gradual decrease in paperback sales, there was an increase in e-book purchases.
The 1960 map shows farmland to the left of the river while the present-day map shows housing in the same location.
Tip: Put the comma at the end of the first clause if you’re using a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of a sentence. If you’re using a subordinating conjunction in the middle of a sentence, you don’t need to include a comma before the conjunction.
Signposts
Signpost words join two ideas in two sentences. Some common examples are on the other hand, in contrast and similarly.
You can use them at the beginning of the second sentence to show a comparison or contrast with your first sentence.
Examples:
Over 200 countries participated in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In contrast, only 44 countries attended Paris’ last Summer Olympics in 1924.
The pie chart shows that households spent the largest portion of their income on food and housing at 20% and 35%, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest expenditure was on discretionary items, accounting for 4%.
The number of international tourists fell sharply in 2020. Similarly, there was a significant drop in domestic tourists.
Tip: Signposts can help guide a reader through your writing but be careful not to use one at the beginning of every sentence. Overusing signpost words can disrupt the flow of your writing and make it sound unnatural.
Other Expressions for Comparing and Contrasting
Below are some other comparative forms you might encounter:
Structure | Example sentence |
|---|---|
(be) similar to | Pickleball is similar to table tennis. |
both + noun + noun + plural verb or both + plural noun + plural verb | Both pickleball and table tennis use courts, paddles and small plastic balls. Both sports use courts, paddles and small plastic balls. |
(be) different from | Pickleball courts are different from table tennis courts in terms of size and playing surface. |
as opposed to | Pickleball is played on a 20-foot court, as opposed to table tennis, which is played on a small table. |
Comparative Forms in English: Grammar Quiz
Check what you can remember with our short comparatives quiz. Complete each sentence with the missing word(s) or punctuation mark.
Q1. The Amazon is ____________ the Ganges.
a. wider than
b. wider then
c. wider
d. more wide
Q2. Australia is ________ than New Zealand
a. dryer
b. more dry
c. drier
d. dry
Q3: My brother is __________than me.
a. fit
b. fiter
c. fitter
d. more fit
Q4: Ana’s new apartment is ________than her old one.
a. more better
b. better
c. gooder
d. more good
Q5. Denmark is a great deal ______ than Sweden
a. small
b. smaller
c. more small
d. as small
Q6: Our local pool is as ________as an Olympic pool.
a. big
b. bigger
c. biggest
d. more big
Q7. Although solar panels can reduce energy bills ____ they can be expensive to install.
a. but
b. and
c. ,
d. .
Q8. Online classes offer flexibility. On _____other hand, they may not provide the same level of interaction as traditional classes.
a. an
b. the
c. one
d. ,
Q9. It tastes similar_______ chicken.
a. from
b. with
c. to
d. of
Q10. They held the concert outdoors, as opposed ______ the usual indoor venue.
a. in
b. from
c. at
d. to
Answers to the Comparative Forms Quiz
Q1: a
Q2: c
Q3: c
Q4: b
Q5: b
Q6: a
Q7: c
Q8: b
Q9: c
Q10: d
Looking for more language tips? You can find the rest of our Grammar 101 series in our IELTS Preparation Hub.
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