Comparison beyond bigger and biggest

Examples

1. The second quote was considerably higher than the first.

2. It is nowhere near as bad as the newspapers suggested.

3. The longer the case runs, the less anybody remembers.

4. This flat is half the size of our old one.

Common mistakes

• ✗Wrong: It is more cheaper than the other one.

  ✓Right: It is cheaper than the other one.

  A comparative is formed once, not twice.

• ✗Wrong: The more you wait, worse it gets.

  ✓Right: The longer you wait, the worse it gets.

  The double comparative needs the on both halves.

• ✗Wrong: It is not nearly as bad than they said.

  ✓Right: It is not nearly as bad as they said.

  as … as takes as, never than.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AThe new system is significantly more fast.
   2. BThe new system is significant faster.
   3. CThe new system is significantly fast than.
   4. DThe new system is significantly faster.
   Show answer

   Answer: D The new system is significantly faster.

   An adverb of degree plus a comparative.

2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

   1. AIt is nothing like so complicated than it looks.
   2. BIt is nothing like as complicated than it looks.
   3. CIt is nothing like as complicated as it looks.
   4. DIt is nothing as complicated like it looks.
   Show answer

   Answer: C It is nothing like as complicated as it looks.

   nothing like as … as denies the comparison.

3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

   1. ASooner we decide, cheaper it will be.
   2. BThe sooner we decide, the cheaper it will be.
   3. CThe more soon we decide, the more cheap it will be.
   4. DThe sooner we decide, cheaper will it be.
   Show answer

   Answer: B The sooner we decide, the cheaper it will be.

   the opens both halves.

4. 4Fill in the gap.

   The rent is _____ higher than it was three years ago.

   1. Atoo
   2. Bvery
   3. Cfar
   4. Dso
   Show answer

   Answer: C The rent is far higher than it was three years ago.

   far strengthens a comparative; very does not.

5. 5Fill in the gap.

   The repair cost _____ as much as the replacement.

   1. Atwice more
   2. Btwo times more
   3. Ctwice
   4. Ddouble than
   Show answer

   Answer: C The repair cost twice as much as the replacement.

   twice as much as is the multiple form.

6. 6Fill in the gap.

   This year’s figure is _____ lower than last year’s.

   1. Amarginal
   2. Bmargin
   3. Cmarginally
   4. Dmarginally more
   Show answer

   Answer: C This year’s figure is marginally lower than last year’s.

   A weakening adverb of degree.

7. 7Fill in the gap.

   It is _____ near as serious as the first report claimed.

   1. Ano where
   2. Bnothing
   3. Cnowhere
   4. Dnever
   Show answer

   Answer: C It is nowhere near as serious as the first report claimed.

   nowhere near is the fixed phrase.

8. 8Fill in the gap.

   The _____ we hear, the less confident I feel.

   1. Amany
   2. Bmuch
   3. Cmore
   4. Dmost
   Show answer

   Answer: C The more we hear, the less confident I feel.

   The double comparative uses the more.

9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

   Which sentence is wrong?

   1. AIt is much better than the last version.
   2. BIt is far better than the last version.
   3. CIt is more better than the last version.
   4. DIt is a good deal better than the last version.
   Show answer

   Answer: C It is more better than the last version.

   Never double a comparative.

10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. AThis is the cheapest option.
    2. BThis is the most cheapest option.
    3. CThis is the least expensive option.
    4. DThis is by far the cheapest option.
    Show answer

    Answer: B This is the most cheapest option.

    A superlative is formed once.