mas + Adjective

The pattern mas + Adjective is the most common way to form comparisons of inequality (meaning "more than") in conversational Filipino. This contrasts with equal comparisons (meaning "as [adjective] as"), which use kasing- or magkasing-. In formal or literary contexts, higit is often preferred.

1. Basic Structure:
Filipino typically uses predicate-first order. The standard formula is: [Mas + Adjective] + [Subject (Ang-form)] + kaysa + [Object of Comparison]. However, word order is highly flexible, allowing the subject and object of comparison to swap (e.g., Mas matangkad kaysa kay Pedro si Maria.).

Unlike most other markers, mas is placed directly before the adjective without using the linker.

2. Pronoun Placement:
It is crucial to note that mas does not attract enclitic pronouns. Pronouns must be placed after the adjective, not directly after mas.
Example: Mas matangkad siya. (He/She is taller.) - Correct.
Example: Mas siya matangkad. - Incorrect.

3. Markers for Comparison:
When using kaysa, you must use the correct marker for the object being compared:
• Use kaysa sa for common nouns or oblique pronouns (e.g., kaysa sa akin - than me). For plural common nouns, simply add the plural marker mga after sa (e.g., kaysa sa mga kotse - than the cars). However, demonstrative pronouns like dito, diyan, and doon are already in the sa-form, so they do not take an additional sa (e.g., kaysa dito, not kaysa sa dito).
• Use kaysa kay for a single personal name.
• Use kaysa kina for plural personal names.

Note: In everyday spoken Tagalog, kaysa is almost universally pronounced (and frequently written informally) as kesa. Additionally, native speakers frequently drop the word entirely and just use the markers sa, kay, or kina. Conversely, for common nouns, it is acceptable in colloquial speech to drop the sa marker and just use kaysa (e.g., Mas malaki ang bahay kaysa kotse), whereas formal grammar prescribes kaysa sa. However, the personal markers kay and kina cannot be dropped when comparing proper names; it must always be kaysa kay Pedro or simply kay Pedro.

Example: Mas matangkad si Maria (kaysa) kay Pedro. (Maria is taller than Pedro.)
Example: Mas malaki ang bahay (kaysa) sa kotse. (The house is bigger than the car.)

4. Plural Adjectives:
When the subject is plural, adjectives starting with the prefix ma- often undergo reduplication of the first syllable of the root. However, this reduplication is completely optional. Non-ma- adjectives typically remain in their root form.
Example: Mas malalaki ang mga bata. (The children are bigger.)
Example: Mas malaki ang mga bata. (The children are bigger - also completely grammatical.)

5. Implied Comparison:
You can use mas even if you don't explicitly state what you are comparing it to. The comparison is understood from the context.
Example: Gusto ko ng mas malaking sapatos. (I want a bigger shoe [than this one]).
Note: While mas itself does not take a linker, the adjective still requires a linker (like -ng in malaking) when it is placed directly before a noun.

6. Expressing Preference (Mas Gusto):
While mas is primarily used with adjectives, it is also highly common to pair it with the pseudo-verb gusto to express preference, meaning "prefer" or "like more".
Example: Mas gusto ko ito. (I prefer this / I like this more.)

7. Formal or Emphatic Alternatives:
For emphasis or formal writing, you may see higit or lalo. Unlike mas, these require a linker to connect to the adjective.
Example: Higit na mabilis ito. (This is faster.)
To say 'much faster' in conversation, you can use phrases like di-hamak na mas mabilis.

8. Even More (Mas ... pa):
To express that something is "even more" [adjective], it is very common in conversation to pair mas with the enclitic particle pa. The particle pa typically follows the adjective.
Example: Mas malaki pa ang bahay kaysa sa kotse. (The house is even bigger than the car.)