Comparative phrases and clauses Flashcards
We use AS+ADJ/ADV+AS to say that something is like another.
In negative sentences, we use NOT AS/NOT SO.
In formal and writing, we use LESS+ADJ+THAN.
Was the film as funny as the last one?
I came round as quickly as I could.
The gap between the sides is not as/so wide as it was.
Formal: The gap between the sides is less wide than it was.
AS+ADJ+A/AN+NOUN+AS
Negative form: NOT AS or NOT SUCH
We can use SO, TOO or HOW.
Despite his disability, he tried to lead as normal a life as possible.
It’s not as quiet a place as it used to be.
It’s not such a quiet place as it used to be.
It’s not quite so straightforward a problem as it might at first seem.
Conspiracy is perhaps too strong a word.
How big a piece do you want?
We use AS MUCH/MANY AS: for numbers
AS LITTLE/FEW AS: for amounts ($, %) and distances.
There are a small number of people involved, possibly as few as twenty.
Prices have increased by as much as 300%.
We use NOT+ADJ/ADV+ENOUGH+TO INFINITIVE.
FORMAL: We can use SUFFICIENTLY instead of ENOUGH.
I’m not tall enough to reach.
He didn’t speak loudly enough to be heard.
She didn’t play sufficiently well to be qualified.
We use TOO+ADJ/ADV+TO INFINITIVE
FORMAL: TOO+ADJ/ADV+A/AN+NOUN
They arrived too late to get seats.
It moved too fast to see it clearly.
The suitcase was too small (for him) to get all his clothes.
I hope you haven’t had too tiring a day.
SO+ADJ/ADV+THAT CLAUSE
SO+ADJ/ADV+AS+TO INFINITIVE
It is so simple that even I can do it.
He came in so quietly that I didn’t hear him.
The difference was so small that it wasn’t worth arguing about.
The difference was so small as to not be worth arguing about.
GO+SO/AS FAR AS+TO INFINITIVE
One furious woman went so/as far as to throw tomatoes at the minister.
