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Comparatives and Superlatives
Comparatives and Superlatives
“Mine is bigger than yours”“Mine is bigger than yours”
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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IntroductionIntroduction
Comparatives are used to show similarities or differences
between things.
Each slide will show an explanation, an example and a
formula.
At the end, a table of common comparatives.
Comparatives are used to show similarities or differences
between things.
Each slide will show an explanation, an example and a
formula.
At the end, a table of common comparatives.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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Key to FormulaeKey to FormulaeSubject
The doer of an action. Usually appears at the beginning of a main clause. In the sentence “Bob is taller than Jill,” Bob is the subject
Verb “to be”
Though many verbs can be used with the comparative, one of the most frequent is the verb “to be” conjugated for whatever tense and person (is, are, was, were, has been, etc.)
Object
The receiver of an action. Usually appears after the verb. In the sentence, “The dog catches the ball,” ball is the object.
Adjective
•An adjective modifies a noun. In the sentence, “Bob throws the red ball,” red is an adjective.
SubjectThe doer of an action. Usually appears at the beginning of a main clause. In the sentence “Bob
is taller than Jill,” Bob is the subject
Verb “to be”
Though many verbs can be used with the comparative, one of the most frequent is the verb “to be” conjugated for whatever tense and person (is, are, was, were, has been, etc.)
Object
The receiver of an action. Usually appears after the verb. In the sentence, “The dog catches the ball,” ball is the object.
Adjective
•An adjective modifies a noun. In the sentence, “Bob throws the red ball,” red is an adjective.
In each of the slides explaining a comparative or superlative, you will see a “formula,” or a way to structure a sentence using that comparative. Below is an explanation of the elements of the formulae.
In each of the slides explaining a comparative or superlative, you will see a “formula,” or a way to structure a sentence using that comparative. Below is an explanation of the elements of the formulae.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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Equal / Not EqualEqual / Not Equal
To indicate or negate an equal quality:
Example:
Bob is (not) as tall as George.
To indicate or negate an equal quality:
Example:
Bob is (not) as tall as George.
subject + <to be> + (not) + as + adjective + as + object.
subject + <to be> + (not) + as + adjective + as + object.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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Difference Type IDifference Type I
Indicating a difference between two or more things, usually
when the adjective has one or two syllables:
Example:
Bob is (not) taller than George.
Indicating a difference between two or more things, usually
when the adjective has one or two syllables:
Example:
Bob is (not) taller than George.
subject + <to be> + (not) + adjective + {-er} + than + object.
subject + <to be> + (not) + adjective + {-er} + than + object.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
66
Difference Type IIDifference Type IIIndicating a difference between two or more things, usually
when the adjective has two or more syllables*
Example:
The red car is (not) less /more expensive than the
blue car.
Indicating a difference between two or more things, usually
when the adjective has two or more syllables*
Example:
The red car is (not) less /more expensive than the
blue car.
subject + <to be> + (not) + more/less + adjective + than + object.
subject + <to be> + (not) + more/less + adjective + than + object.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
77
Superlatives Type ISuperlatives Type IIndicating that the quality something possesses can not be
equaled, usually when the adjective has one or two
syllables:
Example:
Bob is (not) the tallest student in the class.
Indicating that the quality something possesses can not be
equaled, usually when the adjective has one or two
syllables:
Example:
Bob is (not) the tallest student in the class.
subject + <to be> + (not) + the + adjective + {-est} + object..
subject + <to be> + (not) + the + adjective + {-est} + object..
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
88
Superlatives Type IISuperlatives Type IIIndicating that the quality something possesses can not be
equaled, usually when the adjective has two or more
syllables:
Example:
Linda is (not) the most/least intelligent person in the
class.
Indicating that the quality something possesses can not be
equaled, usually when the adjective has two or more
syllables:
Example:
Linda is (not) the most/least intelligent person in the
class.
subject + <to be> + (not) + the + most/least + adjective +object.
subject + <to be> + (not) + the + most/least + adjective +object.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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The more I try not to be nervous, the more nervous I feel.
The more I eat, the hungrier I get.
The fewer people who know about this the better.
The more I work, the less I earn.
The more I try not to be nervous, the more nervous I feel.
The more I eat, the hungrier I get.
The fewer people who know about this the better.
The more I work, the less I earn.
Special Constructio
n
Special Constructio
n
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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01
0
When to Use Type IIWhen to Use Type IIWhen verbs are functioning as adjectives (verbals).
I am more tired today than yesterday.
“Must” is the most over-used modal.
When the adjective has three syllables.
I am more intelligent than Australopithecus.
Hailey Atwell is the most beautiful actress I have seen.
When using an adverb.
My office is more well-decorated than your office.
Apple is the most highly-respected company in the world.
When verbs are functioning as adjectives (verbals).
I am more tired today than yesterday.
“Must” is the most over-used modal.
When the adjective has three syllables.
I am more intelligent than Australopithecus.
Hailey Atwell is the most beautiful actress I have seen.
When using an adverb.
My office is more well-decorated than your office.
Apple is the most highly-respected company in the world.
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type 1
Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type 1
as ___ as _____ than The _____
pretty prettier prettiest
quick quicker quickest
slow slower slowest
cheap cheaper cheapest
tall taller tallest
good better best
bad worse worst
easy easier easiest
nice nicer nicest
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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2
Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type II
Common Comparatives and Superlatives Type II
More/less most/least
intelligent
fun
interesting
boring
beautiful
exciting
comfortable
difficult
dangerous
Peter MangiaracinaPeter Mangiaracina
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