Lesson focus
Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns
Advanced aim: Use comparison to express degree, limitation, proportional change and rhetorical emphasis with precise scope.
Far/much comparative
Use far, much or a great deal before comparatives to express a large difference.
- Example: The revised estimate is far more realistic than the original one.
- In another context: Separate scenario: The revised estimate is far more realistic than the original one.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Slightly comparative
Use slightly, marginally or a little before comparatives for small differences.
- Example: The second option is slightly cheaper but considerably slower.
- In another context: Follow-up case: The second option is slightly cheaper but considerably slower.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
By far superlative
Use by far to intensify a superlative.
- Example: This is by far the most convincing explanation we've heard.
- In another context: Alternative case study: This is by far the most convincing explanation we've heard.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Nowhere near as
Nowhere near as...as expresses a very large negative comparison.
- Example: The replacement system is nowhere near as reliable as the old one.
- In another context: Regional example: The replacement system is nowhere near as reliable as the old one.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Not nearly as
Not nearly as...as means much less than.
- Example: The final cost was not nearly as high as we had feared.
- In another context: Separate scenario: The final cost was not nearly as high as we had feared.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
No more than
No more than can emphasise that a quantity is surprisingly small or limited.
- Example: The repair took no more than twenty minutes.
- In another context: Follow-up case: The repair took no more than twenty minutes.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
No less than
No less than can emphasise a surprisingly high degree or amount.
- Example: The redesign affected no less than half of the user interface.
- In another context: Alternative case study: The redesign affected no less than half of the user interface.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
The more...the more
Use the + comparative..., the + comparative... for proportional relationships.
- Example: The more closely we examined the data, the less convincing the pattern became.
- In another context: The more closely we examined the source files, the less convincing the pattern became.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
Comparative and comparative
Repeated comparatives show continuous change.
- Example: The negotiations became more and more difficult as the deadline approached.
- In another context: The negotiations became more and more difficult as the filing date approached.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
All the more
All the more + adjective/comparative strengthens a quality because of a stated circumstance.
- Example: Her calm response was all the more impressive given the pressure she was under.
- In another context: Follow-up case: Her calm response was all the more impressive given the pressure she was under.
C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.
C1 takeaway
Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.
Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns
Follow-up case: The revised estimate is _____ than the original one.
Alternative case study: The second option is _____ but considerably slower.
Regional example: This is _____ explanation we've heard.
Separate scenario: The replacement system is _____ the old one.
Follow-up case: The final cost was _____ we had feared.
Alternative case study: The repair took _____ twenty minutes.
Regional example: The redesign affected _____ half of the user interface.
_____ we examined the transaction records, the less convincing the pattern became.
The negotiations became _____ as the publication deadline approached.
Alternative case study: Her calm response was _____ given the pressure she was under.
Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns
Alternative case study: The revised estimate is _____ than the original one.
Regional example: The second option is _____ but considerably slower.
Separate scenario: This is _____ explanation we've heard.
Follow-up case: The replacement system is _____ the old one.
Alternative case study: The final cost was _____ we had feared.
Regional example: The repair took _____ twenty minutes.
Separate scenario: The redesign affected _____ half of the user interface.
_____ we examined the survey records, the less convincing the pattern became.
The negotiations became _____ as the renewal date approached.
Regional example: Her calm response was _____ given the pressure she was under.
Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns
Regional example: The revised estimate is far more realistic than the original one.
Separate scenario: The second option is slightly cheaper but considerably slower.
Follow-up case: This is by far the most convincing explanation we've heard.
Alternative case study: The replacement system is nowhere near as reliable as the old one.
Regional example: The final cost was not nearly as high as we had feared.
Separate scenario: The repair took no more than twenty minutes.
Follow-up case: The redesign affected no less than half of the user interface.
The more closely we examined the activity logs, the less convincing the pattern became.
The negotiations became more and more difficult as the submission cut-off approached.
Separate scenario: Her calm response was all the more impressive given the pressure she was under.