Comparisons
Lesson Plan- Making Comparisons
At times you will need to compare one thing to another. A friend may ask you to compare two movies that you have seen to decide which one he should watch, a colleague may want a comparison between two vacation spots you have visited, or a stranger may ask for a comparison between two restaurants. When you compare two or more things you are indicating which is better or worse between two things. When the superlative is used, you are indicating which is the best or the worst.
Forming Comparatives
For one and two syllable words comparatives are formed by either adding -er or -ier to the end of a word
(Add -er if the word ends in a consonant.
Add -ier if the word ends in a y (change the y to i and add -er)
For three or more syllable words add more or less before the word to form the comparative.
| big | bigger | small | smaller |
| heavy | heavier | busy | busier |
| beautiful | more beautiful | common | more common |
Forming Superlatives
Superlatives are formed by adding -est to the end of the word or by using most or least before the word.
The same syllable rule applies here in deciding to use -est or most or least.
| wise | the wisest | fast | the fastest |
| quiet | the quietest | simple | the simplest |
| anxious | the most anxious | diligent | the most diligent |
Dialogue- Comparisons
Jasper: Where do you think is the best place to go on a vacation?
Randy: Hawaii, without a doubt.
Jasper: Why Hawaii?
Randy: Because it has the most beautiful beaches and the largest number
of girls in bikinis in the world.
Jasper: That may be true, but it is also one of the most expensive places
to vacation. It also gets a lot of rain.
Randy: What place do you think is best?
Jasper: Miami. Miami also has some great beaches, has lots of girls, gets
much less rain than Hawaii, and it is less expensive.
Randy: True, but Hawaii has better golf courses and they are cheaper
than the golf courses in Miami.
Randy: I wouldn’t say they are better, they are just more difficult to play.
Jasper: What about the setting? Hawaii is a tropical island with more lush
vegetation than Miami, not to mention the most amazing sunsets
anywhere.
Randy: Maybe, but it takes less time to get to Miami than Hawaii. I can be
on the beach soaking in the sun, while you’re still in the airplane.
Jasper: Maybe, but once I get there I would have cleaner, fresher air to
breath, unlike Miami, which has a little too much smog if you ask me.
And the streets are safer to walk on in Hawaii.
Randy: I’ll admit that’s true. Miami does have a higher crime rate.
Jasper: So where are you going on vacation this year?
Randy: Alaska. I want to see a polar bear.
Conversation Activities- Comparisons
1. Pair Work- discussion
What is your favorite vacation spot? Tell your partner about it using some
of the ideas for discussion below. Your partner should ask questions to get
more information.
where is it
how often have you been there
why do you like it
why is it better than other places
2. Pair work- discussion
Which things are better? Discuss and compare the following items, stating
the advantages of one over the other, using comparatives and superlatives.
The notes in parentheses are possible ideas for comparison. Feel free to
add to the list.
Going to San Francisco or Seoul for vacation
(weather, pollution, tourist attractions, expense, entertainment, people)
Buying a house or apartment
(price, spaciousness, maintenance, convenience, parking, safety)
Traveling by bus or train
(price, comfort, speed, the view, people you meet, services)
CD’s or tapes
(price, availability, quality, storage space)
Family cars or sports cars
(price, number of passengers, speed, appearance, gas mileage,
maintenance)
Jogging or bike riding for exercise
(health benefits, exertion required, calories burned, cost)
Watching baseball or basketball on TV
(level of excitement, speed of the game)
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