I. INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVES
2. Comparatives for Showing Similarities and Differences
2.7 Degrees of Comparison: Strengthening Comparatives
More nuance can be given to Comparative Adjectives by adding words such as 'much' or 'a little' in front of 'more' or 'less' (i.e. much more, a little less).
We cannot do this with superlatives because there is only one amount involved—we cannot add anything or take anything away from 'the most', for example.
When we say 'strengthened', we also include it with words such 'less'. When we think of 'less', it may not seem like it can be strengthened. This is because strengthen means 'a greater degree of' and not 'a greater amount of'. You can have a greater degree of 'less'.
Besides adding 'more' and 'most' to some comparatives and superlatives, we can add different degrees or nuances of comparative and superlative adjectives or adverbs by adding words such as 'much' or 'a lot' to them. They strengthen or weaken the comparatives or superlatives by different degrees.
Some of these words include:
- somewhat (weak)
- a bit (weak)
- much, a lot (strong)
- far (very strong)
- even (by a degree better)
- absolutely (highest degree)
With adverbs, we can use 'much more' or 'a lot more'.
Examples
He was feeling much better than yesterday.
She was an absolutely better athlete than anyone in her country.
She sings far better than her sister.
He is feeling somewhat poorly today.
The employees at our office are much busier this month.
He completed his work much more carefully after he made a serious error.
Exercise: Strengthening Comparatives
Form sentences from the following words or phrase, adding comparative words to them. While you are doing it, also add words to strengthen them. You can use the words below to strengthen or add nuance to the comparatives.
- a little
- somewhat (weak)
- a bit (weak)
- much, a lot (strong)
- far (very strong)
- even (by a degree better)
- absolutely (highest degree)
Example: Einstein/I/intelligent
• Einstein was a lot more intelligent than I am.
1. dog/turtle/fast
Trả lời:
2. Einstein/me/good at physics
Trả lời:
3. trucks/SUVs/heavier
Trả lời:
4. cows/giraffes/short
Trả lời:
5. grizzly bears/lions/big
Trả lời:
6. gold/silver/expensive
Trả lời:
Sample Answers
1. Dogs are much faster than turtles.
2. Einstein was far better than I am at physics.
3. SUVs are a little heavier than trucks.
4. Cows are much shorter than giraffes.
5. Grizzly bears are somewhat bigger than lions.
6. Gold is quite a bit more expensive than silver.
| 
Bình luận