Unit 6 Comparative

Comparing
We can use much, so much, a lot, even or far with comparative adjectives.
Sales in July were a lot higher than sales in June.
He was far less experienced than the other applicant.
We can use nowhere near with as … as.
The interview was nowhere near as difficult as the written exam.

Rules
1. Use a lot /far/much + comparative (比... 多了)
Sales in July were a lot/much/far higher than sales in June.
Businesspeople are a lot /much/far cooler than I thought
2. Use just as/not nearly as/ nowhere near as + adj ( 就如同/不同於/遠遠(大大)不同於)
The interview was nowhere near as difficult as the written exam.
It seems my teachers were just as strict as they are now.
Although people were polite, they weren’t nearly as friendly as the people from the day before.
3. Comparative and comparative + short adj. (越來越)
More and more + longer adj.
The weather is getting hotter and hotter.
The gossip is getting more and more interesting.
People were getting more and more annoyed.
Computers are getting better and better
The world is getting smaller and smaller.
4. The + comparative/ the + comparative (越如何 就越如..)
The more people gather; the more people witness the accident.
The more you read, the smarter we get.
The more you talk, the less time you will have
The cheaper the ticket, the worse it services
The longer the bus stood still, the more annoyed people became.
Examples:
Today’s test was much easier than yesterday’s test.
 Today’s test was nowhere near as difficult as yesterday’s test.
I’m practicing the piano a lot, and I’m getting much better.
 The more I practice, the better I get at playing the piano.
The price of gasoline is going up each month.
 Gas is getting more and more expensive each month.
I’ve been seeing a lot of John recently, and I’m beginning not to like him so much.
 The more I see John, the less I like him.
 Linkers of contrast
To contrast ideas of facts, we use these linking words: although, even though, however, despite, in spite of
and nevertheless.

Rules
1. Despite and in spite of are followed by noun phrase or a gerund. They can be used at the beginning or in
the middle of a sentence.
e.g.
Despite studying hard for the test, I failed it.
In spite of starting to eat less, I didn’t lose any weight.
= I didn’t lose any weight in spite of starting to eat less.
1.2 Despite and in spite of can be followed by a negative gerund:
Despite not having an umbrella, we walked home in the rain.
= In spite of not having an umbrella
= Although he didn’t have an umbrella, he walked home.
Despite not playing golf, he knew a lot about it.
2. Although and even though are followed by a full clause. They can be used at the beginning or in the
middle of a sentence.
Eg.
Although I’d seen the movie before, I still really enjoyed it.
Even though I don’t’ speak a word of Chinese, I understood what he said.
= I understood what he said even though I don’t speak a work of Chinese.
Although she owns a bike, she never rides it.
3. However and nevertheless introduce the contrasting idea and come at the beginning of a new
sentence. They are followed by a comma.

e.g.
He doesn’t earn a lot of money. However, he gives a lot to charity.
It wasn’t very warm. Nevertheless, we had a good time at the beach.
I find math difficult, Nevertheless, I have to take it at school.