Many advanced English learners find themselves relying on simple phrases like ‘better than’ or ‘worse than’. If you're aiming for C1/C2 fluency, it's time to expand your comparison toolbox!
Let’s delve into some more nuanced comparative structures to help you sound more advanced – and fun.
1. Correlative Comparatives: These structures showcase a proportional relationship between compared elements.
- The more… the more (the + comparative + subject + verb) - To indicate that when an action or event continues, there will be a particular result:
The more you practice, the more fluent you'll become.
The more he drank, the more violent he became.
The more he insisted he was innocent, the less they seemed to believe him.
The more in-depth your analysis, the more comprehensive your understanding will become.
2. Comparative Clauses: Express comparisons using clauses (instead of using simply comparative adjectives)
While the film was visually stunning, the plot lacked depth.
The play was just as funny, if not funnier, than the movie.
Traveling solo can be incredibly liberating, unlike traveling with a group, which can sometimes feel restrictive
Unlike the original, the sequel lacked thrills, as many critics pointed out.
To write effectively, one must be clear and concise, a skill often lacking in students just starting out.
The city lights twinkled like a scattered diamond necklace, a stark contrast to the inky blackness of the countryside sky.
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, boasting a wider variety of life than any other single habitat.
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3. Comparatives with adverbials: You can spice up your comparisons by using intensifiers like a good deal, far, or somewhat etc.
The lecture was a good deal more engaging than the textbook.
The art exhibit was considerably more provocative than the traditional gallery show.
- If there is not much difference between 2 things, you can use several expressions, such as:
to be much the same as:
Her leadership style is much the same as her mentor's, emphasizing collaboration and empowerment.
to be every bit as + adjective + as / to be just as + adjective + as / to be equally + adjective -usually used when sy has made a comparison you don’t agree with:
My job is every bit as demanding as your job.
To show that something is much inferior to something else, you can use a variety of expressions:
not to be nearly as + adjective + as:
His arguments were not nearly as convincing as those presented by his opponent.
to be nothing like as + adjective + as:
The trendy fusion spots on the main square are nothing like as delicious as the hidden gem Thai place down the street.
to be nowhere near as + adjective + as:
The amateur team's performance was nowhere near as polished as that of the professional athletes.
4. Figurative Language
A) Idiomatic expressions can create vivid comparisons for a touch of flair.
- If you want to show that sg or sy is much better than sg or sy else:
to be streets ahead of sg/sy
He is streets ahead of the other players in the competition.
to be head and shoulders above
Sweden are head and shoulders above the other teams in the tournament.
to pale in comparison (to sg): seem small or unimportant when compared to sth else
Her musical talent pales in comparison to that of her prodigious younger sibling, who plays multiple instruments flawlessly.
B) Similes and metaphors
Social media can be a double-edged sword, offering instant connectivity yet exposing users to misinformation.
Her attempt to navigate the delicate political situation was akin to a bull in a china shop, exacerbating tensions rather than easing them.
The child's laughter was as contagious as a yawn.
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