Zorg Spacemuch cheaper, a bit later, the sooner the better
The rule
A2 taught you to build the comparative. B1 teaches you to measure it. Put much, far or a lot in front for a big difference, and a bit, a little or slightly for a small one: much cheaper, a bit later. Never use very with a comparative. even says the second one goes further than something already high: It was even colder yesterday. Two more shapes: not as … as for the negative comparison, and the more you practise, the easier it gets for two things rising together.
much / far / a bit / slightly + comparative · not as … as · the more …, the more …
Examples
This flat is much cheaper than the last one.
Could you come a bit earlier?
The new bus is not as fast as the train.
The sooner we leave, the better.
Common mistakes
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Wrong: This one is very cheaper.
Right: This one is much cheaper.
very cannot modify a comparative; use much.
-
Wrong: It is more cheaper than the other.
Right: It is cheaper than the other.
Do not build the comparative twice.
-
Wrong: She is not so fast as her sister than.
Right: She is not as fast as her sister.
The negative comparison is not as … as, with no than.
Practice questions
Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.
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1Choose the correct sentence.
- The second flat was far big.
- The second flat was very bigger.
- The second flat was far more bigger.
- The second flat was far bigger.
Show answer
Answer: D The second flat was far bigger.
far measures a large difference.
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2Choose the correct sentence.
- Can we start very later?
- Can we start slightly latter?
- Can we start slightly more late?
- Can we start slightly later?
Show answer
Answer: D Can we start slightly later?
slightly marks a small difference.
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3Choose the correct sentence.
- Today is even cold than yesterday.
- Today is very colder than yesterday.
- Today is even colder than yesterday.
- Today is even more cold than yesterday.
Show answer
Answer: C Today is even colder than yesterday.
even says it goes further than something already extreme.
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4Choose the correct sentence.
- My new job is not as stressful than the old one.
- My new job is not as more stressful as the old one.
- My new job is not so stressful than the old one.
- My new job is not as stressful as the old one.
Show answer
Answer: D My new job is not as stressful as the old one.
not as … as, never with than.
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5Fill in the gap.
The train is _____ more comfortable than the coach.
- much
- very
- more
- so
Show answer
Answer: A The train is much more comfortable than the coach.
much in front of a comparative.
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6Fill in the gap.
It is _____ bit further than I thought.
- the
- much
- a
- very
Show answer
Answer: C It is a bit further than I thought.
The phrase is a bit.
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7Fill in the gap.
The more I practise, _____ easier it gets.
- the
- a
- much
- more
Show answer
Answer: A The more I practise, the easier it gets.
Both halves of this pattern begin with the.
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8Fill in the gap.
This model is not _____ expensive as that one.
- so much
- as
- more
- than
Show answer
Answer: B This model is not as expensive as that one.
not as … as for the negative comparison.
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9Put the words in the right order.
This flat is much quieter than the last one
Show answer
Answer: This flat is much quieter than the last one.
The modifier goes in front of the comparative.
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10Put the words in the right order.
The sooner you apply the better
Show answer
Answer: The sooner you apply the better.
Both halves open with the.
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