1. Lecture 25 ComparisonandComparativeConstructions

2. 25.1 Comparison of adjectives and adverbs 1) Regular comparison of adjectives 1) Regular comparison of adjectives -er, -est (eg. smaller, smallest) -er, -est (eg. smaller, smallest) - more, -most (more than two syllables) (eg. more interesting, most interesting) - more, -most (more than two syllables) (eg. more interesting, most interesting) 2) Regular comparison of adverbs 2) Regular comparison of adverbs -er,-est (eg. faster, fastest) -er,-est (eg. faster, fastest) -more, -most (eg. more carefully, most carefully) -more, -most (eg. more carefully, most carefully)

3. 3) Irregular comparison of adjectives and adverbs eg. bad, good/well, old, far, much, badly, etc. 25.2 Comparative constructions 25.2 Comparative constructions 1) “ As … as ” construction 1) “ As … as ” construction Basic pattern: “ as + adjective/adverb + as ” Basic pattern: “ as + adjective/adverb + as ” Eg. John is as bright as Bob. Eg. John is as bright as Bob. Negative sentence: John is not so bright as Bob. Negative sentence: John is not so bright as Bob.

4. 2) “More…than” construction Basic pattern: “ comparative degree + than-clause ” Basic pattern: “ comparative degree + than-clause ” Eg. This parcel is heavier than that one. Eg. This parcel is heavier than that one. Another pattern : “ determiner more /less /fewer + noun + than-clause ” Another pattern : “ determiner more /less /fewer + noun + than-clause ” Eg. I have done more work than he. Eg. I have done more work than he. A variant form pattern: “ compatative adjective + noun + than-clause ” A variant form pattern: “ compatative adjective + noun + than-clause ” Eg. John is a more efficient worker than Jack. Eg. John is a more efficient worker than Jack.

5. 3) “(The)+ superlative adjective / adverb + scope of comparison ” eg. The Sahara is the largest desert in the world. 25. 3 Contrast between comparative constructions 25. 3 Contrast between comparative constructions 1) “ More … than ” vs quasi-coordinative type 1) “ More … than ” vs quasi-coordinative type 2) “ Not so … as ” vs “ not so much … as ” 2) “ Not so … as ” vs “ not so much … as ” 3) “ Not more/ -er … than ” vs “ no more/- er … than ” 3) “ Not more/ -er … than ” vs “ no more/- er … than ” 4) “ The more … the more ” vs “ more and more ” 4) “ The more … the more ” vs “ more and more ”