This document discusses how to modify comparative and superlative adjectives in English. It explains that to indicate a big difference, far/a lot/much can be used with a comparative, while slightly/a bit/a little can be used to indicate a small difference. For superlatives, by far is used to indicate a big difference. Common "as...as" expressions are also listed, such as "as black as night" and "as sick as a dog".

1. MODIFYING COMPARATIVE AND
SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES

2. COMPARATIVES
BIG DIFFERENCE:
far/a lot/much + comparative
This film is far better than the one we
saw last week.
The weather is a lot colder this year.
That exercise is much more difficult.

3. SMALL DIFFERENCE:
slightly/ a bit/ a little +
comparative, nearly as... as
I’m feeling slightly better than yesterday.
This year is a bit more difficult than
expected
Your phone is a little smaller than mine.
London is nearly as expensive as Paris.

4. SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
BIG DIFFERENCE
by far + superlative, superlative +
ever
This cheese is by far the best I’ve
ever eaten.
It’s the most boring film ever.
He’s the cutest baby ever.

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As.. as expressions
As deaf as
As black as
As cold as
As busy as
As hungry as
As blind as
As clear as
As easy as
As free as
As old as
As sick as
As right as
As good as

6. As … as expressions
As deaf as a wall
As black as night
As cold as ice
As busy as a bee
As hungry as a dog
As blind as a bat
As clear as crystal
As easy as pie
As free as a bird
As old as the hills
As sick as a dog
As good as new
As right as rain

7. As … as expressions
As deaf as a wall
As black as night
As cold as ice
As busy as a bee
As hungry as a dog
As blind as a bat
As clear as crystal
As easy as pie
As free as a bird
As old as the hills
As sick as a dog
As good as new
As right as rain