Explanation
Exercises
Advanced Comparison

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.

Exercises:
1
2
3

Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns

Practice 1 · Controlled production

Complete each gap using the stated cue. Read the whole context; some items accept more than one form.

1
Use FAR to intensify the comparative:
The independent estimate is than the contractor's. Use MORE / REALISTIC.
2
Use SLIGHTLY for a small difference:
This alloy is than steel. Use LIGHT.
3
Use BY FAR with a superlative:
This is account of the expedition. Use MOST / DETAILED.
4
Use NOWHERE NEAR to express a large shortfall: The replacement is much less dependable than the original.
It is the original.
5
Use NOT NEARLY: The damage was much less extensive than feared.
It was we had feared.
6
Use NO MORE THAN to emphasise a small amount: The repair required only fifteen minutes.
It required .
7
Use NO LESS THAN to emphasise a striking extent: The flood covered half the valley.
It covered .
8
Use THE MORE and CLOSELY: As we inspected it more closely, it became less convincing.
we inspected it, the less convincing it became.
9
Use MORE AND MORE: Negotiations grew increasingly tense.
They became .
10
Use ALL THE MORE: Her restraint was especially impressive because she was provoked.
It was given the provocation.

Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns

Practice 2 · Contextual choice

Choose the option that best fits the stated meaning, viewpoint or register.

1
Express a substantial comparative difference:
The revised route is than the coastal road.
2
Express a marginal price difference:
The second edition is cheaper, by less than one percent.
3
Intensify a superlative:
This is the strongest explanation offered.
4
Express a large shortfall:
The prototype is as robust as the production model.
5
Express a lower result than a feared benchmark:
The final bill was as high as we had feared.
6
Foreground a surprisingly small upper bound:
The repair took ten minutes.
7
Foreground a surprisingly large amount:
The counterfeit collection contained three hundred coins.
8
Link increasing scrutiny with decreasing confidence:
we checked, the less certain we became.
9
Express progressive change:
The distinction became .
10
Show that a circumstance heightens admiration:
His calmness was remarkable because everyone else was panicking.

Degree modifiers, complex as-structures, proportional comparison and emphatic comparative patterns

Practice 3 · C1 challenge

Choose the interpretation or analysis that best fits the example.

1
“No more than twenty people came” versus “Not more than twenty people came.” What is often stronger in the first?
2
“No less than a thousand pages.” What is the usual pragmatic effect?
3
“Almost as fast” versus “nowhere near as fast.” What changes?
4
“Far better” is not the same as “by far the best” because what changes?
5
“The more I learned, the less certain I became.” Does this construction prove scientific causation?
6
“More and more people objected.” What increases?
7
“All the more valuable because it is rare.” What is because doing?
8
“Less difficult” versus “not as difficult.” Must one be ungrammatical?
9
“The taller of the two sisters” uses what comparison domain?
10
“She is no more qualified than I am.” Does this necessarily mean neither is qualified?