Comparative Patterns Beyond -er — Exercises
Practice the comparison structures that carry no -er ending: as ... as, not as ... as, less + adjective, much and a bit before a comparative, and the + comparative for exactly two.
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The film was just as ___ as the book.
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exciting
Between 'as ... as' use the base form of the adjective — 'as exciting as'.
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I'm not ___ I used to be.
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as fast as
'Not as ... as' is the structure for saying two things are not equal.
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This puzzle is ___ harder than the last one.
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much
Use 'much / far / a lot' with a comparative — not 'very'.
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This phone is ___ expensive than that one.
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less
'Less' + adjective makes a 'smaller' comparative — 'less expensive than'.
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I'm not as tall ___ my brother.
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as
The structure is 'not as + adjective + as'.
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The first option is ___ practical than the second.
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less
'Less + adjective + than' makes a downward comparison — 'less practical than'.
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It's ___ colder today than yesterday — almost zero degrees.
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a bit
Use 'a bit / a little / slightly' with a comparative to weaken it — 'a bit colder'. 'Very' is not used with comparatives.
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Of the two sisters, Sarah is ___.
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the taller
For exactly two items, use 'the' + comparative — 'the taller of the two'.
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The second interview went ___ better than the first.
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far
Comparatives are strengthened by 'far', 'much' or 'a lot' — never by 'very'.
Comparative Patterns Beyond -er
Once the -er/more mechanics are automatic, what remains are the structures built around a comparison. None of them involves changing the adjective: equality uses the base form between two as, a downward comparison uses less, the size of a difference is set by much or a bit, and comparing exactly two things calls for the plus the comparative. Each of these is a fixed frame, and most learner errors come from mixing two frames together.
As ... As and Not As ... As
Between the two as goes the base form — never the comparative. The second word is always as, not than.
I'm not as fast as I used to be.
I'm not as tall as my brother. (not 'as tall than')
Less + Adjective
Less is the downward mirror of more and works with long adjectives. Lesser is a rare adjective meaning 'minor', and fewer counts objects, so neither fits here.
The first option is less practical than the second.
Much, Far, A Bit Before a Comparative
The size of the difference is set by much, far and a lot (big) or a bit, a little and slightly (small). Very and so cannot modify a comparative at all.
The second interview went far better than the first.
It's a bit colder today than yesterday — almost zero degrees.
The + Comparative for Exactly Two
With two people or things, English uses the + comparative. The superlative is reserved for three or more.
Common Mistakes
✗ I'm not as tall than my brother. → ✓ I'm not as tall as my brother.
✗ This phone is fewer expensive. → ✓ This phone is less expensive.
✗ This puzzle is very harder. → ✓ This puzzle is much harder.
✗ Of the two sisters, Sarah is the tallest. → ✓ Of the two sisters, Sarah is the taller.
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