Modifying Comparatives

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B2 (Upper-Intermediate)Grammar

Modifying Comparatives

B1 covered basic comparatives (bigger, more expensive). At B2 you modify them to show how big the difference is, and use special structures like the + comparative, the + comparative.

B1 covered basic comparatives (bigger, more expensive). At B2 you modify them to show how big the difference is, and use special structures like the + comparative, the + comparative.

Modifying the degree of difference

Strength Modifiers Example
big difference much, far, a lot, considerably, significantly It’s far cheaper.
small difference a bit, a little, slightly, marginally It’s slightly bigger.
no difference (with ‘as…as’) just as, nowhere near as, not nearly as It’s nowhere near as hard.
Which modifiers go whereUse much, far, a lot, a bit, a little, slightly before a comparative (“much better,” “a bit later”). Do not use “very” before a comparative (✗ very better). Use very only with the base adjective (“very good”). With as…as, soften using “not quite as” or strengthen with “just as.”

The + comparative, the + comparative

Shows that two things change together: “The more you practise, the better you get.” “The higher the price, the lower the demand.”

Comparatives getting stronger

Repeat a comparative to show a continuing change: “It’s getting colder and colder,” “more and more difficult.”

Examples from EduCareer

  • This level is much harder than B1.
  • The more Aisha read, the faster she improved.
  • Speaking is getting easier and easier for Omar.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersNever put very before a comparative. Say “much better” or “far better,” not “very better.” For the double-comparative structure, both halves need the: “The more, the merrier.”
Common mistakes

  • It’s very better than before. → It’s much better than before.
  • More you practise, better you get. → The more you practise, the better you get.
  • It’s more cheaper. → It’s much cheaper.

Practise with the 20 questions below.

Check your understanding

Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.

1."This phone is ___ better than my old one." (big difference)
much + comparative.
2."It's ___ colder today — just a tiny bit."
small difference → slightly.
3.Which can't go before a comparative?
'very' doesn't modify comparatives.
4."___ you practise, ___ you get."
the + comparative, the + comparative.
5."It's getting ___." (continuing change)
repeated comparative.
6.Which is correct?
much + comparative; no double comparative.
7."The exam was ___ as hard as I feared." (much less)
nowhere near as = far less.
8."This task is ___ more difficult — a huge jump."
big difference → considerably.
9."She's ___ as talented as her sister." (equal)
just as...as = equal.
10."___ the temperature, ___ the demand for fans."
the higher the temp, the higher the demand.
11."It costs ___ less than I expected." (big difference)
far = big difference.
12."He's ___ taller than me — only by a centimetre."
small difference → a little.
13."Tickets are ___ more expensive this year." (formal, large)
significantly = large, formal.
14."The film was ___ as good as the book." (not equal, less)
not nearly as = much less.
15.Both halves of the double comparative need:
'the' in both halves.
16."Prices keep rising — things get ___ expensive."
more and more = continuing increase.
17."This is ___ the better option of the two."
by far + comparative/superlative for emphasis.
18."It's ___ quicker by train than by car." (large)
a lot = big difference.
19.Which is correct?
the + comparative, the + comparative, with comma.
20."The course is ___ as long as the old one." (equal length)
just as...as = equal.

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