We use adjectives or their comparative and superlative forms to make comparisons

Adjectives:

· very + adjective (emphasises adjective). George is a very good student.

· as + adjective + as {to show that two people or things are similar in some way. In negative sentences we use not as/so... as). I'm sure Brian is as clever as Polly.

· less + adjective + than (expresses the difference between two people or things. The opposite of more... than). The sequel was less successful than the original.

· the least + adjective + of/in (compares one person or thing to two or more people or things in the same group. The opposite of most... of/in). It’s the least expensive restaurant in the city.

Comparative forms:

· much/a lot/far/a little/a bit/slightly/even + comparative (expresses the degree of difference between two people or things):

- Anna is much younger than Steve. - Riding a motorbike is a lot more dangerous than driving a car. – She was far happier when she only worked part time. - 1 think it’s a little warmer than it was yesterday. - It was a bit more expensive than I thought it would be. -She said that the second exam was slightly easier than the first one. - Since his operation, he has been walking even more slowly.

BUT: many more + uncountable noun:

- Tom ate many more biscuits than Paul.

· comparative + comparative shows that something is increasing or decreasing

- We seem to start later and later every day.

· the + comparative..., the + comparative (shows that two things change together or that one thing depends on another thing):

- The longer the journey went on, the more beautiful the scenery became.

Superlative forms:

· We use the with a superlative:

- It was the happiestday of my life.

- Everest is the highestmountain in the world.

- That’s the bestfilm I have seen this year.

- I have three sisters, Jan is the eldest and Angela is the youngest.

· You can form superlative adjectives in two ways as well. You can add est to the end of the adjective, or you can use the most or the least before it. Do not, however, do both! You violate another grammatical rule if using two superlative forms.

· One-syllable words generally take est at the end, as in these examples:

- Max is the wisest person I’ve ever met.

- Of all the students in the group, Max is the worst.

- King Kong was the biggest gorilla ever.

· Two-syllable words vary. Check out the example:

- Because Greg refuses to read directions, he made the crispiest mashed potatoes ever in the history of instant food.

· Use most or least before adjectives with three or more syllables:

- Who is the most intelligent person in your family?

- I’ve chosen to buy the least expensive hat.

· by far + the + superlative (emphasises the difference between one person or thing and two or more people or things in the same group):

- He is by far the best player in the team.