COMPARISON DEGREES
When we have to choose one that is the best among others or select
one that is better than the other, we need to use a number of
sentences with comparative structures well known as comparative
sentences. In this chapter we will discuss about the notion and use of
comparative sentences in the daily communication activities. One of the
most common functions of learning comparative sentences is that we
can use them to convey our choices upon some available option or
alternatives. In English, we have three kinds of comparative sentences:
Positive degree, comparative degree, superlative degree.
1. Positive Degree: to show the similarities between or among
objects or option. This pattern is marked by the use of paired
preposition: as…as…; the same … (as) …
Examples: -She is as brilliant as her father/ She is the same brilliant
as her father.
-The rate of family room at Hilton Hotel is as expensive as Paradise
Hotel.
- I like both Hilton and Paradise Hotel. The services are just the
same.
- The price of a small house in the city is expensive. It is the same
price as a big house in the country.
2. Comparative Degree: to show one between two objects which is
more or better in the matter of number, condition or
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characteristics. This pattern is marked by the use of preposition :
more … or the suffix/-- er/ + than
In the comparative structure, add suffix /-er/ to most of the
adjectives consisting of one or two syllables;
Examples: - I am older than you. (old+er)
- My computer is cheaper than yours. (cheap+er)
– My house is bigger than their house. (big+er bigger)
- Whole grain is healthier than instant noodle. (heathy+er)
Add prefix “more” to any adjectives consisting of more than two
syllables.
Examples: - I think a beach is more interesting to visit than a mall.
- Your car is more expensive than my car.
- For some people, climbing a mountain is more exciting than walking
trough hills.
Besides the regular form, we also find irregular form of adjective.
There are some of them:
Adjectives Comparative form
Good better
Bad worse
Far further
Little less
Much, many, some more
To make it more extreme add ‘’much” in the comparative structure.
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Examples: - Your car is much more expensive than my car.
- A house in the country is much cheaper than a house in the city.
In the comparative structure with verbs, use “more” after the verbs.
Examples: - Food cost more in Jakarta than solo.
- I like to buy book in Gramedia more than in another bookstore.
3. Superlatives Degree: to show one among a number of objects
that is considered to be the best, to be number 1, the top, etc.
This is marked by the use of preposition of: the most … / the … est.
Examples: - Everest is the highest mount in the world. (high+est)
- The Golden Gate is the longest bridge in the USA. (long+est)
- Rotterdam is the busiest city in Europe. (busy+est)
For the adjective consists of two or more syllables:
Your computer is the most expensive.
This room is the most comfortable room in USB.
Besides the regular form, we also find irregular form of adjective in
superlatives degree. There are some of them:
Adjectives Comparative form Superlative form
Good better best
Bad worse worst
Far further furthest
Little less least
Much, many, some more most
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Y: No it isn’t. New York is
much ___ ___ .(dangerous)
c. X: Paris is ___ ____
EXCERCISES
Madrid. (big)
1. Match an adjective with its
Y: No, it isn’t. It’s much
opposite.
___. (small)
Adjective Opposite
d. X: Madrid is ___ ___ ___
Fast Cheap Rome. (expensive)
Big Slow
Y: No, it isn’t. Madrid is
Dirty Friendly
much ___. (cheap)
Dangerous Clean
Noisy Quite e. X: The buildings in Rome
Modern Old are ___ ___ ___ the
Unfriendly Safe
buildings in New York.
Exciting Boring
Expensive small (modern)
Y: No they aren’t. They’re
2. Complete the conversations much ___. (old)
with the correct form of the f. X: The underground in
adjectives. London is ___ ___ the
a. X: Life in the country is Metro in Paris. (good)
slower than city life. (slow) Y: No! The Underground is
Y: Yes, the city’s much much ___. (bad)
faster. (fast)
b. X: New York is ___ ___
London. (safe)
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3. Complete the conversation Yes, ________________
using the superlative form of in our school.
the adjective.
g. Anna is a very intelligent
a. That house is very big student.
Yes, it’s the biggest house Yes, ________________
in the village. in the class.
b. Claridge’s is a very h. This is a very easy
expensive hotel. exercise.
Yes, ________________ Yes, ________________
in London. in the book.
c. Castle Combe is a very 4. Thick (√) the correct
pretty village. sentence.
Yes, ________________ a. Yesterday was more hot
in England. than today.
d. New York is very Yesterday was hotter than
cosmopolitan city. today.
Yes, ________________ b. She is taller than her
in the world. brother.
e. Tom Hanks is a very She is taller that her
popular film star. brother.
Yes, ________________ c. I am the most young in the
in America. class.
f. Miss Smith is a very funny I’m the youngest in the
teacher. class.
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d. Last week was busier than My homework is the worst
this week. in the class.
Last week was busyer than f. This exercise is the most
this week. difficult in the book.
e. My homework is the This exercise is most
baddest in the class. difficult in the book.
5. Write about two different cities you know very well (Solo and your
home town). Compare them in the term of size, weather, people, public
transport, housing, entertainment, shopping, food, city problems,
safety, and cost of living.
Example: My hometown, Karang Anyar is larger than Solo … etc. at
least 10 sentences. Write them in a paragraph.
I come from Karanganyar and Ani comes from Solo. My hometown is
larger than Ani’s hometown.
