Comparative Adjectives

Comparative AdjectivesThe term comparison of adjectives is used when two or more persons or things have the same quality (height, size, color, any characteristic) indicated by a descriptive adjective and we want to show which of these persons or things has a greater, lesser, or equal degree of that quality.

Taken from: English Grammar for Students of German

Comparative AdjectivesIn both English and German, the quality of a person or thing can be compared with the same quality in another person or thing. The comparison can indicate that one has the same or a lesser amount of that quality, a greater amount of that quality, or the highest degree of that quality.

Taken from: English Grammar for Students of German

Comparative AdjectivesEnglish

Short adjective + -er + than Dave is taller than Kara.

More + longer adjective + than Meaghun is more intelligent than Joy.

As + adjective + as Jake is as sweet as Greymalkin.

Not as + adjective + as Greymalkin is not as big as Jake.

Less + adjective + as Greymalkin is not as active as Jake.

Comparative AdjectivesGerman

The comparison is always formed by adding –er to the stem of the adjective.Katja ist jünger als ihr Bruder.Das Buch ist besser als der Film.

Adjective endings must be added after the appropriate comparative.Ich kenne das keinere Mädchen nicht.Das ist ein interessanterer Buch.

Comparative AdjectivesEqual Degree

So + adjective + wieRobert ist so gut wie Mary in Mathe.Mein Auto ist so teuer wie sein Auto.

Lesser DegreeNicht so + adjective + wie

Greymalkin ist nicht so gross wie Jake.

Adjective EndingsNominativ Akkusativ Dativ

Masculin der -eein -er

den -eneinen -en

dem -eneinem -en

Feminin die -eeine -e

die -eeine -e

der -eneiner -en

Neutral das -eein -es

das -eein -es

dem -eneinem -en

Plural die -enkeine -en

die -enkeine -en

den -enkeinen -en

Comparative Adjective Examples

Adjective Comparative

Gut Besser

Klein Kleiner

Laut Lauter

Gross Grösser

Sich wünschenTo wish

ich wünsche mirdu wünschst direr/sie/es wünscht sichihr wünscht euchwir wünschen unsSie/sie wünschen sich

Comparative Adjectives in Sentences

To use comparative adjectives with adjective endings and wünschen, make sure that you are wishing for something better than what you have right now.

Assume that you have something—but want a better one, or more.

Comparative Adjectives in ActionIch wünsche mir eine modernere Küche.

Er wünscht sich einen grösseren Keller.

Mein Hund wünscht sich ein bequemeres Bett.

Meine Katze will die grössere Maus fressen.

Was wünscht du dir?

Write six sentences auf Deutsch about items that you want to improve or have more of.

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