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Ch 3

Comparisons

Comparatives · Superlatives · Double Comparatives

What we'll cover

Five structures for making comparisons
1
Comparative + than
Bigger than · more expensive than
2
Less + adjective + than
Less crowded than
3
As + adjective + as
As clever as · not as cold as
4
The + comparative, the + comparative
The higher, the colder
5
Superlatives — the most / -est
The highest · the most interesting

Comparative + than

One thing has more of a quality than another
SHORT adj (1 syllable): adj + -er + than → taller than
LONG adj (2+ syllables): more + adj + than → more interesting than
IRREGULAR: good → better · bad → worse · far → further

Use 'than' after the comparative. With 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change y to -ier (happy → happier).

Madrid is bigger than Barcelona.
Short adjective + -er
French is more difficult than Spanish.
Long adjective + more
The film was worse than I expected.
Irregular form
Watch out: Never say "more bigger" or "more taller" — use -er OR more, not both.

Less + adjective + than

The opposite of a comparative — less of a quality
less + adj + than → less expensive than
not as + adj + as → not as expensive as

'Less' works with any adjective. In everyday English, 'not as ... as' is often preferred, especially with short adjectives.

The museum is less crowded on weekdays.
Formal comparison
This coffee is less strong than the other.
Long adjective preferred
The new flat isn't as big as the old one.
Informal equivalent
Watch out: Don't say "less cheap" — use "more expensive". With short adjectives, prefer "not as ... as".

As + adjective + as

Two things are equal · or NOT equal
Equality: as + adj + as → as tall as her brother
Inequality: not as + adj + as → not as tall as
With numbers: as many / as much as

Used for equality, negation of equality, or emphasis. Can also be used with adverbs: 'she runs as fast as him'.

She is as clever as her sister.
Two equal qualities
It's not as cold as yesterday.
Informal comparison
I have as many friends as you do.
With countable nouns
Watch out: Never say "as tall than" — it's always "as ... as", never "as ... than".

The + comparative, the + comparative

Double comparatives — two things change together
The + comparative + clause , the + comparative + clause
The + more / less + clause , the + more / less + clause

Two comparatives are joined. One action or quality changes in proportion to another. Common in writing, idioms, and FCE tasks.

The higher you climb, the colder it gets.
Two adjectives
The more I study, the more I remember.
With verb clauses
The older he gets, the wiser he becomes.
Two adjectives with verbs
Watch out: Always use 'the' before both comparatives — "More I cook, more I like it" is wrong.

Superlatives — the most / -est

Comparing one thing against a whole group
SHORT adj: the + adj + -est → the tallest · the biggest
LONG adj: the + most + adj → the most expensive
IRREGULAR: the best · the worst · the furthest

Always use 'the' before the superlative. Often followed by 'in' + place, or 'of' + group.

Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
Short adj + in + place
That was the most boring film I've ever seen.
Long adj + relative clause
She is the best student in the class.
Irregular + group
Watch out: Use "in" with places — "the best in the world", NOT "of the world".

Stronger or weaker comparisons

Modifiers that appear in FCE writing and speaking
Stronger
muchmuch bigger than
farfar more interesting
a lota lot cheaper
considerablyconsiderably more expensive
Weaker
a bita bit colder today
slightlyslightly more difficult
a littlea little taller than me
marginallymarginally better

Common mistakes — FCE Traps

Errors that consistently appear in Cambridge exams
more bigger
→
bigger
Don't double the comparative
more happy
→
happier
-y adjectives use -ier, not 'more'
best in the world
→
the best in the world
Always use 'the' with superlatives
as tall than me
→
as tall as me
It's 'as ... as', never 'as ... than'
more I read, more I learn
→
the more I read, the more I learn
Double comparatives always need 'the'

Your turn

Answer out loud — full sentences

Compare with -er, more, less, as … as and the …, the …

1
Compare two cities, two phones or two sports.
2
Is English as difficult as you expected? Why?
3
Finish: The more I practise, the…
4
What is the most exciting thing you have ever done?

Summary

Comparative
adj + -er + than / more + adj + than
Paris is bigger than Madrid.
Less than
less + adj + than
The film was less funny than the book.
As ... as
(not) as + adj + as
She is as clever as her brother.
Superlative
the + adj + -est / the + most + adj
It's the best museum in the city.
Double comp.
the + comp., the + comp.
The older I get, the wiser I am.