9.11 Expressing a preference
The comparative
The comparative is formed in English by adding "-er" to an adjective or adverb, or by preceding it with "more", according to the length of the adjective - i.e. "bigger", "more difficult", "more easily".
German forms the comparative in one way only, by adding "-er" to the end of an adjective or adverb. There is no equivalent to the English use of "more" with longer adjectives:
Grammar 13: The Comparative |
|
Adjective |
Comparative |
|
klein
(small) |
kleiner
(smaller) |
|
schön
(nice) |
schöner
(nicer) |
|
neu
(new) |
neuer
(newer) |
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Unfortunately some of the most commonly used German adjectives and adverbs have comparatives which are exceptions to this rule: either the vowel "modifies" - i.e. adds an umlaut - or a different word is used entirely:
Grammar 14: Comparative - exceptions |
|
Adjective |
Comparative |
|
groß
(big) |
größer
(bigger) |
|
alt
(old) |
älter
(older) |
|
gut
(good) |
besser
(better) |
|
gern
(gladly) |
lieber
(more gladly) |
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The comparative using "mögen"
As the optional adverb used with "mögen" is "gern", you need to use "lieber" (= the comparative of "gern") if you wish to use this verb to say that you prefer something:
Grammar 15: Comparative with "mögen" |
|
Wir mögen Berlin (gern).
("We like Berlin.") |
|
Wir mögen Berlin lieber.
Wir mögen lieber Berlin.
("We prefer Berlin.") |
|
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Welchen Wein mögen Sie lieber?
("Which wine do you prefer?") |
|
Ich mag Rotwein lieber.
Ich mag lieber Rotwein.
("I prefer red wine.") |
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By extension, as you use "gern(e)" to describe what you like doing, you will also use "lieber" to describe what you prefer doing:
Grammar 16: Comparative with verbs |
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Ich höre Händel gern.
("I like listening to Händel.") |
|
Ich höre Händel lieber.
Ich höre lieber Händel. ("I prefer listening to Händel.") |
|
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Welchen Wein trinken Sie lieber?
("Which wine do you prefer to drink?") |
|
Ich trinke Rotwein lieber.
Ich trinke lieber Rotwein. ("I prefer to drink red wine.") |
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The comparative using "gefallen"
As the optional adverb used with "gefallen" is "gut", you need to use "besser" (= the comparative of "gut") if you wish to use this verb to say that you prefer something:
Grammar 17: Comparative with "gefallen" |
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Diese Stadt gefällt uns (gut).
("We like this city.") |
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Diese Stadt gefällt uns besser.
("We prefer this city.") |
|
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Was gefällt dir besser?
("What do you like better?") |
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Das Armband gefällt mir besser.
("I prefer the bracelet.") |
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Chapter 9.12: The Conditional
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