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Ch 1

Comparatives & Superlatives

much better · not as … as · the best I've ever · one of the …

Building on A2

You know the forms — now make them precise

At A2 you learned taller than and the tallest. At B1 you say how much different things are, and use superlatives in longer sentences.

This phone is much more expensive than that one.
It's the best film I've ever seen.

How much different?

much / far / a lot / a bit / slightly + comparative

big difference
much / far / a lot bigger
small difference
a bit / slightly / a little bigger
The train is far faster than the bus.
Not very bigger: very goes with the plain adjective (very big).

not as … as

Saying something is less

not as + adjective + as
The book isn't as good as the film.
= The film is better than the book.
My flat isn't quite as big as yours.
not quite as … as = only a little less.

Superlative + ever

With the present perfect

the + superlative + noun + I've ever + past participle
That's the funniest joke I've ever heard.
It was the worst meal we've ever had.

one of the …

One from a top group

one of the + superlative + plural noun
She's one of the best players in the league.
The noun is plural: one of the best players, not player.

Comparing actions

Comparative adverbs

-ly adverbs
more quickly · more carefully
short adverbs
harder · faster · earlier
irregular
well → better · badly → worse
Could you speak more slowly, please?

Common mistakes

Where learners go wrong most often

This is much more better.
→
This is much better.
much + comparative — not two comparatives
It's one of the best player.
→
It's one of the best players.
one of the … + plural
It's the best film I ever saw.
→
It's the best film I've ever seen.
superlative + ever → present perfect
He isn't as tall than me.
→
He isn't as tall as me.
as … as, not as … than

Your turn

Answer out loud — full sentences

Use the B1 forms in every answer.

1
What is the best thing you've ever eaten?
2
Compare two cities you know with much or a bit.
3
Name one of the most famous people from your country.
4
Which is harder for you: listening or speaking? How much harder?

Recap

big difference
much / far / a lot + comparative
far faster
small difference
a bit / slightly + comparative
a bit cheaper
less
not (quite) as … as
not as good as
experience
the + superlative + I've ever
the best I've ever had
top group
one of the + superlative + plural
one of the best players
actions
more slowly · harder · better
speak more slowly