Adjective endings and comparison
Choose adjective endings from the determiner and case, then compare people, places and choices.
Section GRAM-ADJECTIVES · Adjective endings and comparison
Exam scope and assessment notes
All German texts, listening scripts, prompts, model responses, examples and exercises here are original StudyForA practice, not Cambridge assessment material. The map covers the five broad topic areas, the published grammar categories and the paper formats for both syllabus cycles; Cambridge describes its topic sub-lists as examples rather than an exhaustive vocabulary boundary. The separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked but has not been reconciled word by word. German-language specialist review, comprehensive vocabulary auditing and full timed paper simulations remain outstanding. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee accent or pronunciation. Speaking checklists and writing review are practice aids, not an examiner mark or Cambridge moderation. This is not a complete 130-hour course. Confirm exam year, series, zone and entry with your school and Cambridge. Use the paper lesson that matches your examination year; speaking and writing practice does not award official marks.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which phrase compares unequal speed correctly?
What you will learn
- Recognise adjective endings after definite, indefinite and no article in all cases.
- Use possessive, demonstrative and interrogative adjective endings.
- Use adjectives after «etwas», «nichts», «viel», «wenig» and «alles».
- Form common comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.
Let the article show the ending
German adjective endings depend on gender, case, number and whether the determiner already marks those features. Compare «der alte Bus», «ein alter Bus», «mit einem alten Bus» and «mit dem alten Bus».
The same phrase can change endings when its role changes: «ein neuer Computer» (nominative), «einen neuen Computer» (accusative), «mit einem neuen Computer» (dative). Read the full phrase before choosing the ending.
Compare fairly and precisely
Use «-er als» for a comparison («schneller als»), «so ... wie» for equality, and «am ...-sten» or a declined superlative adjective for the superlative. Common irregulars include «gut – besser – am besten» and «viel – mehr – am meisten».
Adverbs can also be compared: «Sie fährt schneller als ich.» Quantifiers like «ein bisschen», «sehr», «viel» and «wenig» help express degree; check whether the word describes a noun or an action.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Complete: «Das ist ___ (gut) Lösung von allen.»
Worked example
Complete and explain: «Mit ___ (dieser, bequem) Zug kommen wir schneller an als mit dem alten Bus.»
Show the worked solution
- «Mit» requires the dative.
- The demonstrative and adjective must both show dative masculine.
- Keep the comparative attached to the travel time.
Answer «Mit diesem bequemen Zug kommen wir schneller an als mit dem alten Bus.» «Mit» takes dative, so «dieser» becomes «diesem» and «bequem» takes «-en».
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Complete «ein ___ (klein) Zimmer», «mit einem ___ (klein) Zimmer» and «das ___ (klein) Zimmer». Explain what changes.
Give me a hint
Check the article and case in each phrase.
Compare my reasoning
- Mark the gender and case.
- Check what the determiner already shows.
- Choose each adjective ending.
«ein kleines Zimmer», «mit einem kleinen Zimmer», «das kleine Zimmer». The determiner and case change which features the adjective must mark.
Look for these in your work
- Uses the correct endings
- Identifies case and gender
- Explains the role of the determiner
Compare a 20-minute bus journey, a 15-minute cycle and a 35-minute walk. Write one comparative and one superlative sentence in German.
Give me a hint
Use «kürzer/länger als» and an appropriate superlative.
Compare my reasoning
- Compare the cycle with the bus.
- Identify the fastest and slowest option.
- Keep the comparison units the same.
Example: «Die Fahrt mit dem Fahrrad ist kürzer als die Busfahrt. Am schnellsten ist das Fahrrad; am längsten dauert der Spaziergang.»
Look for these in your work
- Uses «als» correctly
- Identifies the fastest option
- Identifies the longest duration
A school is choosing a quieter classroom. Room A is smaller but faces a busy road; Room B is larger and faces a garden. Recommend one with two adjective phrases and a reason.
Give me a hint
Use adjective endings with articles and separate size from noise.
Compare my reasoning
- Describe each room with a determiner and adjective.
- Compare the relevant feature.
- Make a recommendation with a reason.
Example: «Das kleinere Zimmer liegt an einer lauten Straße. Der größere Raum ist ruhiger, weil die Fenster zum Garten zeigen. Ich empfehle den größeren Raum.» The recommendation follows the stated noise goal.
Look for these in your work
- Uses adjective endings in noun phrases
- Compares the relevant feature
- Connects the choice to the goal
Common mistakes
- Using one adjective ending in every case
- Forgetting that the adjective agrees with the noun, not the nearest English word
- Using «wie» instead of «als» for an unequal comparison
What can you explain now?
Which phrase is correct after «mit»?
Compare with the explanation
mit einem neuen Fahrrad
«Mit» takes dative; the adjective ending is «-en».
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Make it stick
Before leaving adjective endings and comparison, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.