Español 2 – Capítulo 1

Comparison of Adjectives

© Sandra Hoffmann 2006Redmond High School

In both English and Spanish, there are three categoriesof comparisons:

2. Positive Comparisons

Biology is more interesting than math.

3. Negative Comparisons

Biology is less interesting than math.

Biology is as interesting as math.

1. Expressing Equality

1. Expressing Equality:

The formula we use to express that someone or something has JUST AS MUCH of a quality as someoneor something else is very similar to the English as + adjective +astan + adjective +

comoPablo es tan gordo como Pepe.

Pablo Pepe

2. Positive and Negative Comparisons IN ENGLISH:

In both positive and negative comparisons, we use the comparative form of the adjectiveplus “than”:

Jorge is taller than Pepe.

comparative “than”

Jorge Pepe

In English, we have two different forms of comparatives:

A. adjective + “er” (taller, smaller, friendlier,…)

B. “more/less” + adjective (more exciting, more intelligent,…)

In Spanish, we use a formula that is very similar to the English “more/less” + adjective + “than” structure:

Biology is more interesting than math.

Biología es más interesante que matemáticas.

más + adjective + que

3. In Spanish: Positive Comparisons

The formula we use to express that someone or something has MORE of a quality than someone or something else is

Pepe es más gordo que Jorge.

Pepe Jorge

¡OJO!

There are some irregular comparatives in Spanish:

better = mejor

worse = peor

older = mayor

younger = menor

These comparatives are used without “más”:

La última película de Brad Pitt es mejor que la de Tom Cruise.

4. In Spanish: Negative Comparisons:

The formula we use to express that someone or something has LESS of a quality than someone or something else is

menos + adjective + que

Jorge es menos gordo que Pepe.

Jorge Pepe

5.THE SUPERLATIVEThe superlative is the form of an adjective that expresses that someone or something has the most of a quality:

Positive(Basic Form)

interesante interesting

Comparative más interesantemenos interesante

more interestingless interesting

Superlative el más/menos interesantela más/menos interesantelos más/menos interesanteslas más/menos interesantes

the most/least interesting

ExamplesJorge es alto.

Jorge is tall.

Jorge es más alto que Pepe.

Jorge is taller than Pepe.

Jorge es el (hombre) más alto de todos.

Jorge is the tallest of all.

¡Ojo!

Make sure you match the article and theadjective ending with the person(s) or thing(s)you are describing:

Jorge es el más alto.

Marina es la más alta.

Jorge y Hernán son los más altos.

Marina y Lidia son las más altas.

Review:

2. Positive Comparisons

Biology is more interesting than math.

3. Negative Comparisons

Biology is less interesting than math.

Biology is as interesting as math.1. Expressing Equality

Biología es tan interesante comotan interesante como matemáticas.

Biología es más interesante que matemáticas

Biología es menos interesante que matemáticas.

4. The Superlative

Biology is the most interesting class.

Biología es la (clase) más interesante.