To form the comparative of an adjective, English adds To form the comparative of an adjective, English adds -er-er to to shorter words ("prettier") or places shorter words ("prettier") or places moremore in front of more in front of more complicated ones ("more beautiful"). complicated ones ("more beautiful").

Examples:Examples:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative

nice nicer

Interesting more interesting

handsome more handsome

No matter how long the adjective or adverb, German always No matter how long the adjective or adverb, German always adds -er ("schöner", "interessanter"). Never use mehr for this adds -er ("schöner", "interessanter"). Never use mehr for this purpose. Adjective endings follow the -er.purpose. Adjective endings follow the -er.

Examples:Examples:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative

nett (nice) netter (nicer)

Interessant (interesting) interessanter (more interesting)

hübsch (handsome) hübscher (more handsome)

Some adjectives, almost always monosyllabic with an Some adjectives, almost always monosyllabic with an aa, , oo or or uu, , add an umlaut.add an umlaut.

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative

arm (poor) ärmer (poorer)

klug (clever) klüger (cleverer)

scharf (sharp) schärfer (sharper)

jung (young) jünger (younger)

schwach (weak) schwächer (weaker)

kurz (short) kürzer (shorter)

Adjectives ending in -Adjectives ending in -el el or -or -erer normally drop the -e- before normally drop the -e- before the comparative -er:the comparative -er:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative

dunkel (dark) dunkler (darker)

teuer (expensive) teurer (more expensive)

Some adjectives change their stems in other ways, as well:Some adjectives change their stems in other ways, as well:

AdjectiveAdjective ComparativeComparative

gut (good) besser (better)

hoch (high) höher (higher)

viel (much) mehr (more)

bald (soon) eher (sooner)

als - thanals - than

If you are comparing two things in German, you will use If you are comparing two things in German, you will use als – than.als – than.

ExamplesExamples

Die Maus ist kleiner als der Hund.

Das Pferd ist schneller als die Katze.

Biologie ist interessanter als Geschichte.

The mouse is smaller than the dog.The mouse is smaller than the dog.

The horse is faster than the cat.The horse is faster than the cat.

Biology is more interesting than Biology is more interesting than History.History.