Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

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539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Condition | 757

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Comparison

Introduction

460

One-syllable adjectives

461

Two-syllable adjectives

462

Multi-syllable adjectives

463

Irregular adjectives (bad, good, ill, well)

464

Comparative and superlative adverbs

465

Comparatives

466

Than

466a

Comparative meanings 466b

Premodification of comparatives 466c

Comparisons of similarity

467

As … as

467a

The same

, similar 467b

Like

467c

Superlatives

468

General 468a

Use of the 468b

Intensifying superlatives 468c

Comparisons over time

469

Comparison and other word classes

470

More

and less 470a

Most

and least 470b

Comparative clauses

471

General 471a

Clauses with as 471b

Clauses with as if and as though 471c

Clauses with so, too, enough 471d

Clauses with the same 471e

Clauses with like 471f

Clauses with rather than 471g

Clauses with superlatives 471h

Double the + comparative 471i

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Comparison

INTRODUCTION

460

Comparative forms compare one entity or process with another. The most

common comparative forms are adjectives and adverbs used with the suffix -er

or premodified by more. The object of the comparison is most commonly

introduced with than.

Comparison involves both morphological patterns in the form of endings, and

syntax in the form of comparative clauses. 

Comparatives often say that two things are different in quality or quantity or

that something becomes different by changing over time:

Your dog might be fat but our dog is 

lazier, I’m sure.

In fact, I think that this school has a 

brighter future than the private school has.

It’s getting 

hotter and hotter.

Comparatives also say that two things are of the same quality and quantity. 

A common structure used to indicate this function is as … as:

Geoff is 

as overweight as his wife.

Leeds has almost 

as many coffee bars as London.

Superlative forms involve comparison by singling out one thing as having a unique

quality. A superlative defines a specific member of a set. An adjective or adverb

with an -est ending or which is premodified by most is a common marker of a

superlative form:

Taipei has the 

tallest building in the world. 

(Taipei has the building which is taller than all the other buildings in the world)

I’ve got four daughters. They are all small but Chloë is the 

smallest.

Tiger Woods is definitely the 

most improved golfer in the year 2000.

Comparison can indicate choices and preferences:

Bob’ll have salad 

rather than chips. He’s trying to lose weight.

Comparative forms also allow attitudes to be expressed. The comparative form

sometimes refers to an assumed norm. For instance, in the following examples it is

normal to assume that people have one house and that ice cream is delicious:

Jill now has 

as many as five houses.

Italian ice cream is always the 

most delicious.

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[slower ski slopes are not as dangerous] 

Don’t you think it’ll be dangerous for Bill to ski on the 

faster slopes?