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Introduction

Various words and structures can be used for comparing. This Section deals particularly with structures used for expressing equality and inequality.

Equality: as … as​

To say that people, things, etc are equal in a particular way, we often use the structure as (much/many) … as (see here).

  • My hands were as cold as ice.
  • I earn as much money as you.

Inequality: older than, more attractive than, laziest, most annoying, etc​

To say that people, things, etc are unequal in a particular way, we can use comparative adjectives and adverbs, or more + adjective/adverb ( (see here).

  • He’s much older than her.
  • The baby’s more attractive than you.

To say which one of a group is outstanding in a particular way, we can use a superlative or most + adjective/adverb ( (see here).

  • You’re the laziest and most annoying person in the whole office.

Inequality: less, least; not so/as … as​

We can also talk about inequality by looking at the ‘lower’ end of the scale. One possibility is to use less (than) (see here) or least (see here).

  • The baby’s less ugly than you.
  • I want to spend the least possible time working.

In informal usage, we more often use not so … as or not as … as (see here).

  • The baby’s not so ugly as you.

Similarity and identity: as, like, so do I, too, the same, etc​

If we want to say that people, things, actions or events are similar, we can use as or like (see here); so/neither do I and similar structures (see here); or adverbs such as too, also and as well (see here). To say that they are identical, we can use the same (as) (see here).

  • He liked working with horses, as his father did.
  • Your sister looks just like you.
  • She likes music, and so do I.
  • The fish was over-cooked and the vegetables were too.
  • His eyes are just the same colour as mine.
Do you know what’s wrong with these, and why?

He’s not so friendly like she is. (see here)

Your hands are as cold like ice. (see here)

He’s the happyest person I know. (see here)

The most easiest solution is to do nothing. (see here)

Are humans really the intelligentest creatures? (see here)

Would you mind talking quietlier? (see here)

Emily’s the taller of the four girls. (see here)

Your accent is the worse in the class. (see here)

We’re going more slowly and more slowly. (see here)

Older I get, more I am happy. (see here)

The more it is dangerous, the more I like it. (see here)

It’s the longest river of the world. (see here)

My boyfriend is very older than me. (see here)

I’m not going out with a man who’s twice older than me. (see here)

She spent more money than it was sensible. (see here)

Is this the first time for you to stay here? (see here)

This dictionary is best I could find. (see here)

He’s the nicest when he’s with children. (see here)