S-1 Famasi/Pertemuan ke 10

COMPARISON DEGREES

When we have to choose one that is the best among others or select one that is

better that the other, we need to use a number of sentences with comparative

structures well known as comparative sentences. In this chapter we will discuss

about the notion and use of comparative sentences in the daily communication

activities. One of the most common functions of learning comparative sentences is

that we can use them to convey our choices upon some available option or

alternatives. In English, we have three kinds of comparative sentences: Positive

degree, comparative degree, superlative degree.

1. Positive Degree: to show the similarities between or among objects or

option. This pattern is marked by the use of paired preposition: as…as…; the same
… (as) …

Examples: -She is as brilliant as her father/ She is the same brilliant as her
father.

-The rate of family room at Hilton Hotel is as expensive as Paradise Hotel.

- I like both Hilton and Paradise Hotel. The services are just the same.

- The price of a small house in the city is expensive. It is the same price as a big
house in the country.

2. Comparative Degree: to show one between two objects which is more or

better in the matter of number, condition or characteristics. This pattern is
marked by the use of preposition : more … or the suffix/-- er/

In the comparative structure, add suffix /-er/ to most of the adjectives

consisting of one or two syllables;

Examples: - I am older than you. (old+er)

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- My computer is cheaper than yours. (cheap+er)

– My house is bigger than their house. (big+er bigger)

Add prefix “more” to any adjectives consisting of more than two syllables.

Examples: - I think a beach is more interesting to visit than a mall.

- Your car is more expensive than my car.

- For some people, climbing a mountain is more exciting than walking trough hills

Besides the regular form, we also find irregular form of adjective. There are some
of them:

Adjectives Comparative form

good better
bad worse
far further
little less
Much, many, some more
To make it more extreme add ‘’much” in the comparative structure.

Examples: - Your car is much more expensive than my car.

- A house in the country is much cheaper than a house in the city.

In the comparative structure with verbs, use “more” after the verbs.

Examples: - Food cost more in Jakarta than solo.

- I like to buy book in Gramedia more than in another bookstore.

3. Superlatives Degree: to show one among a number of objects that is

considered to be the best, to be number 1, the top, etc. This is marked by the
use of preposition of: the most … / the … est.

Examples: - Everest is the highest mount in the world. (high+est)

- The Golden Gate is the longest bridge in the USA. (long+est)

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 - Rotterdam is the busiest city in Europe. (busy+est)

For the adjective consists of two or more syllables:

Your computer is the most expensive.

This room is the most comfortable room in USB.

Besides the regular form, we also find irregular form of adjective in superlatives
degree. There are some of them:

Adjectives Comparative form Superlative form

good better best

bad worse worst
far further furthest
little less least
Much, many, some more most

2. Complete the conversations with

the correct form of the adjectives.
EXCERCISES
a. X: Life in the country is slower
1. Match an adjective with its
than city life. (slow)
opposite.
Y: Yes, the city’s much faster.
Adjective Opposite
(fast)

Fast Cheap b. X: New York is ___ ___

Big Slow
London. (safe)
Dirty Friendly
Dangerous Clean Y: No it isn’t. New York is much
Noisy Quite ___ ___ .(dangerous)
Modern Old
Unfriendly Safe c. X: Paris is ___ ____ Madrid.
Exciting Boring (big)
expensive small

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 Y: No, it isn’t. It’s much ___. Y: No they aren’t. They’re much
(small) ___. (old)

d. X: Madrid is ___ ___ ___ f. X: The underground in London is

Rome. ___ ___ the Metro in Paris.
(good)
Y: No, it isn’t. Madrid is much
___. (cheap) Y: No! The Underground is much
___. (bad)
e. X: The buildings in Rome are
___ ___ ___ the buildings in
New York. (modern)
3. Complete the conversation using e. Tom Hanks is a very popular
the superlative form of the adjective. film star.

a. That house is very big Yes, ________________ in

America.
Yes, it’s the biggest house in
the village. f. Miss Smith is a very funny
teacher.
b. Claridge’s is a very expensive
hotel. Yes, ________________ in
our school.
Yes, ________________ in
London. g. Anna is a very intelligent
student.
c. Castle Combe is a very pretty
village. Yes, ________________ in
the class.
Yes, ________________ in
England. h. This is a very easy exercise.

d. New York is very cosmopolitan Yes, ________________ in

city. the book.

Yes, ________________ in 4. Thick (√) the correct sentence.

the world.
a. Yesterday was more hot than
today.

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 Yesterday was hotter than Last week was busyer than this
today. week.

b. She is taller than her brother. e. My homework is the baddest in

the class.
She is taller that her brother.
My homework is the worst in
c. I am the most young in the
the class.
class.
f. This exercise is the most
I’m the youngest in the class.
difficult in the book.
d. Last week was busier than this
This exercise is most difficult
week.
in the book.

5. Write about two different cities you know very well (Solo and your home town).
Compare them in the term of size, weather, people, public transport, housing,
entertainment, shopping, food, city problems, safety, and cost of living.

Example: My hometown, Karang Anyar is larger than Solo … etc. at least 10

sentences. Write them in a paragraph.