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Comparison: modifiers
Let us study the comparatives...
1. MODIFIERS with AS... AS...
We often use the modifiers almost, just, and nearly, and half, twice, three times, etc. with
as...as...
a. You can use so instead of the first as in negative sentences, e.g. She's not nearly so difficult as
people say.
b. After as...as we can either use a subject pronoun + auxiliary verb, or an object pronoun, e.g.
She drives as fast as I do OR She drives as fast as me.
Twice can only be used before as...as. DONT say: Our new flat is twice bigger-than our old one .
However three times, four times, etc. can be used with as...as or with a comparative adjective or
adverb, e.g. The holiday cost three times more than I'd expected. The holiday cost three times as
much as Id expected.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
difference.
1. She's a little better than she was yesterday.
2. The later train is slightly cheaper than the earlier one.
3. Could you two talk a bit more quietly, please?
1
When we use more + noun for small differences, we use a little / slightly / a bit more + an
uncountable noun and a few / slightly / a bit more + a plural countable noun.
4. A: Would you like some more coffee? B: Just a little more, please.
5. We've only got a few more minutes before the show starts.
3. DOUBLE COMPARATIVES FOR EMPHASIS
We sometimes repeat a comparative adjective or adverb for emphasis. When the comparative is
formed with more, the adjective / adverb is only used after the second more . DONT say : It's
getting more difficult and more difficult). CORRECT: Its getting more and more difficult.
1. The taxi driver drove faster and faster.
2. It's getting more and more difficult to make ends meet nowadays.
PRACTICE
Comparatives
ACTIVITY 1: Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first using the words
in BOLD capitals. Then check the answers.
1. My suitcase is only a bit heavier than yours.
Your suitcase mine. ALMOST
2. The repairs were four times more expensive than we had planned.
The repairs cost .. we had planned. MUCH
3. He's not half as outgoing as his sister.
His sister is . he is. FAR
4. The most elaborate dishes are the most difficult to cook.
The more elaborate a dish is, to cook. MORE
5. The shoes were almost as expensive as the bag.
The bag the shoes. SLIGHTLY
6. I'd never eaten such a bad meal before.
It was .. I'd ever eaten. BY FAR
7. Figs have double the calories of plums.
Plums have .. figs. HALF
8. This piece lasts 27 minutes and that one is slightly longer.
That piece only lasts. than this one. MINUTES
ACTIVITY 2 : Choose the right word or expression to complete each sentence. Then check the
correct answers.
1. The sooner we leave for Uruguay, THE BETTER / THE BEST .
2. She types TWICE / THREE TIMES faster than me.
3. I've got MUCH / MANY more work this week than I had last week.
4. The meal was FAR / VERY cheaper than I expected.
5. I could see Dianne getting MORE AND MORE / MANY MORE frustrated.
6. There were A LITTLE / SLIGHTLY more people at the meeting today than there were yesterday.