The comparative degree of “cheap”? Why is cheaper? The comparative degree of “cheap”? Why is cheaper? As we know one syllable word which is end of a vowel and a consonant needs to double the end of the letter. such as: big; bigger; fat; fatter; sad; sadder. but cheap is cheap. "ea" sounds /i:/ which is a vowel and the letters "a" and "e" are vowel letters. Why "cheaper" only just one "p"? By the way, if I wanna ask a question. which is the most common saying in spoken English? 1. "May I ask you a question?" 2."I have a question." 3. or something you think is more mommon. Thank you very much!