Comparisons

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2,3

SB 7.1 page 120

Comparative and superlative adverbs

STAYING IN TOUCH

Modern life is getting busier and busier. And the busier it gets, the more isolated people can feel. These days, people have fewer opportunities to meet friends, because they work harder, and have less time to socialise. Some say that social-networking sites allow them to stay in touch with friends more easily. Sue Weeks decided to test this theory. She stayed in for a week and only contacted her friends via Facebook, one of the most popular social-networking sites. Her view? 'It was great for staying in touch with friends I don't see very often or whol live far away, but it wasn't the most exciting week I've ever had.' The least appealing aspect for Sue was not seeing the people she gets on with best. Her final verdict: 'It was more fun than I expected, but it's less satisfying than meeting people face to face.'

SB 7B page 65 ex. 2

Exercise: Read the explanation underneath. Then match the words in red with the descriptions.

Comparison

We usually form comparative and superlative adverbs with more and most. However, we add -er and -est to some adverbs:

Please speak more slowly. Tom works harder than Sam.

less and least

less is the opposite of more, least is the opposite of most. We can use them with adjectives, adverbs and uncountable nouns:

My dad bought the least expensive TV in the shop. Who earns less money, teachers or nurses?

SB 7B page 65 ex. 5

A comparative form of an adjective with less.

A superlative form of an adjective with least.

A comparative form of an adverb with more.

A comparative form of an adjective with -er.

An irregular superlative form of an adverb.

An uncountable noun with less.

A superative form of an adjective with most.

because they work harder.

and have less time to socialise

Some say that social-networking sites allow them to stay in touch with friends more easily.

one of the most popular soical-networking sites.

The least appealing aspect for Sue was not seeing the people she gets on with best.

The least appealing aspect for Sue was not seeing the people she gets on with best.

but it's less satisfying than meeting people face to face.

Exercise: Read the explanation underneath. Then complete sentence B so that it means the same as sentence A. Use the words in brackets.

Comparison

1. We often use a superlative with the present perfect and ever:

That's the least funny film I've ever seen.
2. We can make comparisons with simple nouns: 
She's more confident than her brother.
and also with clauses: 
She's less talkative than she used to be.
3. We use double comparatives to say that something is changing: 
You're getting taller and taller!
4. We use the ... the and comparatives to say that one thing changes with another: 
The more I eat, the fatter I get!

SB 7B page 65 ex. 5

1A I didn't expect speed dating to be so easy. (than)
1B Speed dating was _______________________.

2A Mum is a faster driver than Dad. (slowly)
2B Dad _____________________ Mum.

3A My partner's got more money than me. (less)
3B I _______________________ my partner.

4A This is the cheapest TV in the shop. (expensive)
4B This is _________________ TV in the shop.

5A No team scored fewer goals than Plymouth. (fewest)
5B Plymouth scored ________________.

6A It's getting increasingly difficult to meet people. (and)
6B It's getting _________________ to meet people.

Any questions?

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