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Comparatives

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Adjectives

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Exercise 1

1. Comparatives of superiority

Comparatives of superiority are those used when we compare two elements. We express that one has a higher degree of the same characteristic than the other.

Adjetives ending in -er

The tortoise is slower than the rabbit.

More + adjective

This chair is more comfortable than the others.

2. Comparatives of equality

We use comparatives of equality when two objects, animals or people share the same degree of a characteristic.

As + adjective + as

Michael is as tall as Cindy.

As + adverb + as

Sally can dance as well as Laura.

Note that with comparatives of equality the adjectives do not suffer any changes.

We can also make comparisons of equality with nouns using the same structure: as...as, by adding much before uncountable nouns and many for countable nouns.

As much + uncountable noun + as

John eats as much chocolate as me.

As many + countable noun + as

I have as many trading cards as you.

We can omit the noun when we know who or what we are referring to. So, taking the previous examples, the sentences could be the following:

John eats as much as me.

(Referring to the chocolate)

I have as many as you.

(Referring to the trading cards)

3. Comparatives of inferiority

Comparatives of inferiority are those used when we compare two elements. We express that one has a lower degree of the same characteristic than the other.

Not as + adjective / adverb + as

Jeremy is not as funny as Miles.

Less + adjective / adverb + than

This hat is less expensive than that one.

We can also make inferiority comparisons with nouns using the same structure by adding much for uncountable nouns and many for countable nouns.

Not as + much + uncountable noun + as

I haven't got as much information as you.

Not as + many + countable noun + as

I didn't catch as many fish as you.

Less + uncountable noun + than

I'm doing less exercise than before

Fewer + countable noun + than

I've got fewer T-shirts than my sister.

Remember that we use comparatives to compare two elements. The subject can be a personal pronoun and the object can either be an object pronoun or a personal pronoun + auxiliary verb.

Lia is as kind as Joe.

Lia is as kind as him.

Lia is as kind as he is.

Remember!

When we compare two elements, we can use comparatives of superiority, equality and inferiority. We can make comparatives with adjectives, adverbs and nouns.

Form	Equality	Inferiority
ADJECTIVE	as + adjective or adverb + as	not as + adjective or adverb + as
	as + adjective or adverb + as	My dog is not as intelligent as yours.
	My car goes as fast as yours.	less + adjective or adverb + than
	My car goes as fast as yours.	My dog is less intelligent than yours.
NOUN	as + much + uncontable noun + as	not as + much + uncountable noun + as
	as + much + uncontable noun + as	My car doesn't consume as much petrol as yours.
	I have got as much food on my plate as you.	less + uncountable noun + than
	I have got as much food on my plate as you.	My car consumes less petrol than yours.
	as + many + countable noun + as	not as + many + countable noun + as
	as + many + countable noun + as	I don't have as many clothes as you.
	This house has got as many windows as the house next door.	fewer + countable noun + than
		I have fewer clothes than you.

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