Breakdown of В русском языке для сравнения качеств можно использовать форму на –ее или –ей, например «быстрее, чем» и «лучше, чем».
в
in
и
and
на
on
для
for
можно
can
например
for example
русский
Russian
язык
the language
сравнение
the comparison
качество
the quality
использовать
to use
форма
the form
или
or
быстрее, чем
faster than
лучше, чем
better than
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Questions & Answers about В русском языке для сравнения качеств можно использовать форму на –ее или –ей, например «быстрее, чем» и «лучше, чем».
What function do the comparative forms ending in -ее or -ей serve in Russian?
They are used to compare qualities. When you say phrases like быстрее, чем or лучше, чем, you are comparing one thing to another (e.g., “faster than” or “better than”). The forms with -ее or -ей convert adjectives into their comparative forms for making such comparisons.
Why are there two endings, -ее and -ей, for forming comparatives?
The existence of two endings is due to historical and phonetic developments in Russian. The choice between -ее and -ей depends on the sound structure of the adjective’s base form. It isn’t about a difference in meaning; rather, each adjective has evolved a conventional comparative form. So, for many adjectives, you must simply learn which ending is standard.
Do all adjectives follow this -ее or -ей pattern when forming comparatives, or are there exceptions?
While many adjectives do form comparatives by adding -ее or -ей, there are exceptions. Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms (for example, хороший becomes лучше instead of following the regular pattern). Therefore, although the pattern applies broadly, it’s important to learn the specific form for each adjective.
What role does the word чем play in these comparative constructions?
In these sentences, чем means “than” and is used to introduce the standard against which the quality is being compared. In phrases such as быстрее, чем or лучше, чем, чем connects the comparative adjective to the element that completes the comparison.
Are the comparative forms with -ее or -ей subject to inflection (changing for gender, number, or case)?
No, once an adjective is turned into a comparative form using -ее or -ей, it typically remains indeclinable. This means that regardless of the noun it relates to, the comparative form does not change its ending to agree with that noun.