English Mentors Tips
Jen’s English Tip’s – Changing the Degrees of Comparison
.
.
It is possible to change the degree of comparison without changing the
meaning of a sentence. Study the following examples.
Positive: I am as strong as him.
Comparative: He is no stronger than me.
As you can probably see, both sentences mean the same.
Positive: No other girl in the class is as tall as Alice.
In the sentence given above a comparison is made between Alice and other
girls in her class using the positive adjective tall. The same idea can be
expressed using the comparative adjective taller and the superlative
adjective tallest.
Comparative: Alice is taller than any other girl in the class.
superlative: Alice is the tallest girl in the class.
More examples are given below:
Positive: No other metal is as precious as gold.
Comparative: Gold is more precious than any other metal.
Superlative: Gold is the most precious of all metals.
Positive: No other democracy in the world is as large as India.
Comparative: India is larger than any other democracy in the world.
Superlative: India is the largest democracy in the world.
Positive: Few girls in the class are as clever as Susie.
Comparative: Susie is cleverer than most other girls in the class.
Superlative: Susie is one of the cleverest girls in the class.
Notes:
We use the comparative to compare one person, thing or group with another
person, thing etc. Therefore, the thing that is compared must be excluded
from the group of things with which it is compared. This is usually done by
using the word ‘other’.
Learn English on Skype
Inexpensive, Personal, Effective and Enjoyable.
.
Do you like studying English by yourself with a book or video? Wouldn’t you prefer to learn with a live coach who will guide you to learn faster?
With SKYPE you can learn from the comfort of your home or office. Your online coach will help you with Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Speaking. You choose where you want to learn and when you want to learn.
