Expressing comparison

1. Expressing comparison
Feb. 21, 2023

2. Comparative
adjectives
Comparative adjectives

4. Superlative adjectives
• We use ‘the’ + superlative adjective to say which is the biggest,
strongest, tallest, etc. in a group.
Superlative adjectives

5. MODIFYING
COMPARISONS

6. as + adjective + as (+)
not as + adjective + as (-)
Angela is as imaginative as
Greg.
I am not as tired as I was last
week.
Walking is as fast as taking a
bus.
Algebra is as difficult as

7. A big difference:
much, a lot, far +
comparative
Sales in July were much
higher than sales in June.
She’s a lot taller than you.
This one’s far more expensive
than the blue one.

8. A small difference:
slightly, a little, a bit, not much
+ comparative
Sales in August were slightly
lower than sales in July.
You’re a bit younger than me.
These are not much more
expensive than those.

9. A big difference in the same
group of people/things:
by far + the+ superlative
Maria is by far the most
responsible employee in
the company.

10. A tiny or no difference:
exactly, more or less, roughly
+ the same + as
He’s exactly the same age as
me. ( No difference)
The figures for December are
more or less the same as the
figures for November. (a tiny
difference)

11. Increasing (+)/decreasing (-):
comparative + and
+comparative
The weather is getting colder
and colder.
As she gets older, she
becomes more and more
impatient.

12. the + comparative ..., the +
comparative
The more I exercise, the fitter
I get.
The more I eat, the fatter I
get.

13. one of the + comparative;
It would be + comparative + for +
..... than;
prefer + sth+ to + sth;
I’d sooner +verb+ than;
 It is one of the cheaper restaurants in the
city.
 It would be better suited for a bigger group
than an intimate supper.
 In warm seasons I prefer running to
aerobics.
 I’d sooner die than have to go through all

14. as vs. like
as though/ as if
 as + a noun; Peter works as a
doctor.
 like + in order to make a
comparison; He works like a farm
horse.
 as though/if + in order to make
comparison; She looks as if she is
going to be sick / she knew what
is going to happen.

15. Correct the sentences
1. They are quicker doing this as I am.
2. I got there more easier than
everyone else.
3. They are not as good at using a
computer than me.
4. I don’t think this novel is so good
than his last one.
5. I ate pretty the same much as the
last time I went to this restaurant.

16. 6. The longer I sit here, less I feel like
moving.
7. 7. I prefer Tarantino’s films than
Oliver Stone’s.
8. 8. He ran as the wind.
9. 9. He has worked like a clerk for the
same bank for most of his life.
10. 10. They seemed as they didn’t really
understand what was going on.

17. Fill in the gaps.
1. She looks much the _____ did ten
years ago.
2. The longer I study _____ I realise
what an interesting language it is.
3. I don’t spend _____ money as my
husband.
4. I’d sooner have ten ______ children
at all.

18. I’ve always preferred classical
music (1) ____ pop music. I’d
much (2) ______ listen to a forty-
five-minute symphony (3) ______
a three-minute song. Pop songs
seem (4)____ less interesting,
harmonically and melodically, and
the insistent, repetitive drumming
is about (5)____ much fun
(6)______ banging your head
against the wall.

19. Resources
 http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-
reference/comparing-and-contrasting-%E2%80%93-modifying-
comparatives
 Richard Acklam, Aramanta Crace,PREMIUM B2, Coursebook,
Pearson Longman, 2008
 Elaine Boyd, Aramanta Crace, PREMIUM C1, Coursebook, Pearson
Longman, 2009
 Virginia Evans, Jenny Dooley, Access Grammar 4, Express
Publishing, 2008