Several different grammatical structures are used for comparing. English adjectives and adverbs can be in positive, comparative or superlative forms. Positive adjectives can be used to say that people or things are equal or unequal in a particular way.
Comparative adjectives and adverbs are used to say that people or things are unequal in a particular way.
1. It is more expensive ......................... I thought.
Then is an adverb of time. In comparative expressions we use than.
2. Chennai is ................................. Mumbai.
We do not normally use 'the' before a comparative adjective + than.
3. Susie is .............................. of the two sisters.
When a group consists of just two people or things, we prefer the comparative to the superlative.
4. Mary is ................................ student in the class.
Before superlative adjectives, we use 'the'.
5. He is not .............................. his brother.
To say that people or things are not equal in a particular way we use the structure not as + adjective + as.
6. The car is running ............................ since it had a service.
Both smoothly and more smoothly are possible here. However, 'more smoothly' is the preferred form.
7. It was ............................ dress I have ever worn.
8. It was ten times ............................... I expected.
The expression 'three/four times + comparative' means the same as 'three/four times as much'.
9. I can walk ................................. you.
The expression 'three/four times + comparative' means the same as 'three/four times as much'.
10. He is ................................ his brother.
The structure 'three/four times + comparative' is not possible with words like 'twice' and 'half'.
11. He explained it carefully, but I was still ..........................
12. The more information that comes in, .....................................
In structures like these, the word order in both clauses is: the + comparative expression + subject + verb.
Answers
1. It is more expensive than I thought.
2. Chennai is hotter than Mumbai.
3. Susie is the prettier of the two sisters.
4. Mary is the best student in the class.
5. He is not as successful as his brother.
6. The car is running smoothly / more smoothly since it had a service.
7. It was the most expensive dress I have ever worn.
8. It was ten times more difficult than I expected.
9. I can walk three times further than / three times as much as you.
10. He is twice as lively as his brother.
11. He explained it carefully, but I was still none the wiser.
12. The more information that comes in, the more confused the picture is.
