Los Comparativos The Comparatives Forming Comparatives in English

Los Comparativos The Comparatives

Forming Comparatives in English • In English, we can compare 2 nouns by using “a comparative adjective+ than”: • The dresser is larger than the night table.

• Using the same 2 objects we can also state the opposite: The night stand is smaller than the dresser.

• The construction of comparative sentences in Spanish is very similar to English. • The formula to express comparison “more than” is: Subject + form of ser + más + adjective + que + other compared noun. • Using La cómoda and la mesita the comparative sentence is:

• La cómoda es más grande que la mesita.

• And for the opposite comparative sentence: • La mesita es más pequeña que la cómoda.

• For homework due today you reviewed Spanish adjectives. Keep this list handy forming comparative sentences. • It is important that the adjective match the Subject (the first noun) in number (singular or plural) and gender (masculine or feminine). • Going back to our model sentences, grande matches cómoda in number and pequeña matches mesita in number and gender.

• The other important element is the verb ser, which you reviewed in the APW. Use es for singular objects and son for plural objects. This also goes for named people. soy somos eres sois es son

• Use “más + adjective + que” to express more than (+) • Use “menos + adjective + que” to express less than (-) • There are some exceptions that will be addressed in the next lesson.

• Now, let’s practice. • First we will practice comparisons using vocabulary from Chapter 6ª. • grande (+)

• La cama es más grande que la lámpara.

• Now, write the opposite sentence. . • • pequeño (+)

• La lámpara es mas pequeña que la cama.

You can also express the two inverse sentences using “less than”: • grande (-)

• La lámpara es menos grande que la cama.

• pequeña (-)

• La cama es menos pequeña que la lámpara.

• Now let’s have some fun by comparing some people you may know…

• Mrs. Murray will call up students to compare height. • Students will provide the answers orally.

• Now it’s your turn! • Working with your partner, write as many comparative sentences in Spanish for each pair of people as you can. • Use your adjective sheet and check out the example sentence on the worksheet. • Compare using “más ____ que” and “menos ____que”. • You will have 10 minutes for this task. • Be prepared to share with the class!