The comparative form of adjectives in English is used when comparing two people, places, or things. When we talk about the adjective “narrow”, which describes something that is not wide or has a small width, its comparative form is “narrower.” This article explains how to use “narrower” correctly and provides examples to help learners grasp its usage in everyday sentences.
What is the Comparative of “Narrow”?
The adjective narrow follows the regular pattern of one- or two-syllable adjectives that form their comparative by adding “-er.”
Positive form: narrow
Comparative form: narrower
Superlative form: narrowest
“Narrower” is used when comparing two things to show that one has less width than the other.
Examples of “Narrower” in Sentence.
Here are some practical examples showing how “narrower” is used in different contexts:
Street Comparison
This street is narrower than the one we walked on yesterday.
(Comparison between two streets in terms of width.)
Shoes or Clothing
I need a narrower pair of shoes; these are too wide for my feet.
(Comparison between two pairs of shoes.)
Bridges or Paths
The old bridge is narrower than the new one, making it harder for large vehicles to pass.
(Comparison between two bridges.)
Rooms or Spaces
Her room is narrower than mine, but it’s longer.
(Describing the difference in room dimensions.)
Focus or Scope
His research has a narrower focus than hers.
(In this case, “narrower” refers to the scope of research, not physical width.)
Key Notes on Usage
Than is usually used after “narrower” to complete the comparison:
“The hallway is narrower than the kitchen.”
“Narrower” can be used for both literal (physical space) and figurative (focus, options, range) comparisons.
Common Mistakes
Using “more narrow” instead of “narrower”
❌ This path is more narrow than that one.
✅ This path is narrower than that one.
(Although “more narrow” is technically understandable, “narrower” is the correct and preferred form.)
Using the wrong comparison structure
Avoid saying: “This path is narrow than that one.”
Always say: “This path is narrower than that one.”
Summary
The comparative form of “narrow” is “narrower”, and it’s used to compare the width or scope of two things. It follows the regular pattern of adding “-er” to the adjective and is commonly used with “than.” Understanding how to use “narrower” correctly allows for clearer and more precise comparisons, especially when describing physical spaces, objects, or even abstract ideas like focus or choices.
By practicing with real-life examples, learners can become more confident in using comparative adjectives like “narrower” accurately in both spoken and written English.
