Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[KejciorF]

Hi, my question is about adjectives.

There is a rule that in comparative form when the word finishes with a consonant that stands before a vowel we double the consonant.

big - bigger

But what about words like MEAN and CHEAP where we write MEANER and CHEAPER???

TIA,
Kate.

[Suzanne]

Hello!

For one-syllable adjectives, most are regular: -er or -est.
Examples:
Mean Meaner Meanest
Cheap Cheaper Cheapest
Old Older Oldest
Tall Taller Tallest

If there is one vowel and one consonant, then double the consonant.
Examples:
Fat Fatter Fattest
Big Bigger Biggest
Thin Thinner Thinnest

Does that help?

[KejciorF]

Yes, it does. Thanks.

However in the word "cheap" there are two vowels and one consonant - does it mean that doubling the consonant is only when we have ONE vowel and one consonant?

TIA,
Kate.

[Suzanne]

Yes, exactly!

For once, this is a reliable rule in English.