Structure of comparative sentence

Number multiples can include: half, twice, three times, four times, etc. Multiple number comparative of the following rule.

           Subject + verb + number multiple + as + (much, many) + noun + as + noun, pronoun

Note: It is incorrect to say; " twice more than, " etc.

• This encyclopedia costs twice as much as the other one.

• At the clambake last week, Fred ate three times as many oysters as Barney.

• Jerome has half as many records now as I had last year.

Double comparatives

These sentences begin with a comparative construction, and thus the second clause must also begin with a comparative.

                      The + comparative + subject + verb + the  + comparative + subject + verb

• The hotter it is, the more miserable I feel.

• The higher we flew, the worse Edna felt. 

• The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

• The sooner you take your medicine, the better you will feel. 

• The sooner you leave, the earlier you will arrive at your destination. 

                     the more + subject + verb + the + comparative + subject + verb

• The more you study, the smarter you will become. 

• The more he rowed the boat, the farther away he got.

• The more he slept, the more irritable he became.

Examples of illogical Comparisons

An illogical comparisons is one in which unlike entities have been compared. Be sure that the items being compared are the same. These forms can be dividend into three categories: possessives, that of and those of.

Incorrect : His drawing are as perfect as his instructor.
Correct : His drawings are as perfect as his instructor's.
Incorrect: The salary of a professor is higher than a secretary.
Correct: The salary of a professor is higher than than of a secretary.
Incorrect: The duties of a policeman are more dangerous than a teacher.
Correct : The duties of a policeman are more dangerous those of a teacher.


Examples of logical comparisons:

• John's car runs better than Mary's.

• The climate in Florida is as mild as that of California. 

• Classes in the university are more difficult than those in the college. 

• The basketball games at the university are better than those of the high school.

• Your accent is not as strong as my mother's.

• My sewing machine is better is better than Jane's.   

Elements of the Unequal comparaisons

This type of comparative implies that the entities are comparable in a greater or lesser degree.

The structure of unequal comparisons as following:

Subject + verb + (adjective + er, adverb + er, more + adjective/adverb, less+ adjective/adverb) + than + (noun, pronoun)

One can add -er to only a few adverbs: faster, quicker, sooner, and later.


Note: Remember always to use the subject of the pronoun after than.

For example:

• John's grades are higher than his sister's.(Adjective)
• Today is hotter than yesterday.(Adjective)
• This chair is more comfortable than the other.(Adjective) 
• He speaks Spanish more fluently than I.(Adverb)
• He visits his family less frequently than she does.(Adverb)
• This year's exhibit is less impressive than last year's.(Adjective)

Unequal comparisons can be further intensified by adding mush or far before the comparative form.

Subject + verb + (far, much)+ (adjective, adverb) + er+ than + (noun, pronoun)
Subject + verb + (far, much) + (more, less) + (adjective, adverb) + than + (noun, pronoun)

• Harry's watch is far more expensive than mine.
• That movie we saw last night was much less interesting than the one on television.
• A watermelon is much sweeter than a lemon.
• She dances much more artistically than her predecessor.
• He speaks English much more rapidly than he does Spanish.
• His car is far better than yours. 

Nouns can also be used in comparisons, Be sure to use the determine correctly depending on whether the adjectives are countable or non-countable.


Subject + verb + as + (many, much, little, few)+ noun + as + (noun, pronoun)

Or

Subject + verb + (more, fewer, less) + noun + than + (noun, pronoun)

• I have more books than she.February has fewer days than March.
• He earns as much money as his brother.
• They have as few classes as we.
• Their job allows them less freedom than ours does.

Introduction to equal comparisons

An equal comparison indicates that the two entities are the are (or are not, if negative) exactly the same. The following applies to this types of comparison.

                   Subject + verb + as + adjective, adverb + as + noun, pronoun

Note: Sometimes you may see so instead of as before the adjective or adverb in negatives comparisons.

For example:

• He is not as tall as his father.

• He is not so tall as his father.

Note: Remember that the subject form of the pronoun will always be used after as in correct English.

• John is as tall as I.         
• You are told as she.

Example of equal comparisons:

• My book is as interesting as yours. (adjective) 
• His car runs as fast as a race car. (adverb) 
• John sings as well as his sister. (adverb) 
• Their house is as big as that one. (adjective) 
• His job is not as difficult as mine. (adjective) 
• They are as lucky as we. (adjective)
• The same idea can also be conveyed  in another way.

                          

                   Subject + verb + the same + noun + as + noun, pronoun

Note: as high as means the same as the same height as

• My house is as high as his. 
• My house is the same height as his.

Be sure that you know the following adjectives and their corresponding nouns

adjectives	Nouns
Heavy, light Wide, narrow Deep, shallow Long, short Big, small	Weight Width Depth Length Size

Note: Remember that the opposite of the same as is different form never use different than.

• My nationality is different form hers. 
• Our climate is different from Canada’s.

Examples of the same as and different from:

• These trees are the same as those. 
• He speaks the same language as she. 
• Her address is the same as Rita's. 
• Their teacher is different from ours. 
• She takes the same courses as her husband.