11B: Comparisons (with notes)

This tea tastes a bit ______ the other.

• bitter than

• bitterest than

• more bitter than

• more bitter that

Answer explanation

For small differences, we can use a bit/a little before the comparative.

She seems _______ since she got divorced.

• happier

• more happy

• more happier

• the happy

Answer explanation

Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y can be changed to -ier or -iest to form the comparative or superlative.

Could you speak ______, please? I don't understand you.

• slow

• slowlier

• most slowly

• more slowly

Answer explanation

Two-syllable adverbs ending with -ly, like slowly, are made comparative with more + adverb.

Pink is _____ with girls than with boys.

• the popular

• popular

• the most popular

• more popular

Answer explanation

Use more + adjective if the adjective is three or more syllables.

The economy is getting ______.

• more and more worse

• badder and badder

• every day badder

• worse and worse

Answer explanation

Use repeated adjectives to show that something is increasing.

I ran _____ miles today because my knee was sore.

• less

• fewer

• more few

• few

Answer explanation

Use fewer to make comparative quantifiers for countable nouns.

I'm trying to do it ______ I can.

• fast

• as fast as

• as faster as

• faster as

Answer explanation

Use as + adjective + as in positive sentences and questions to say something is equal.

Red is _____ for company branding than most other colors.

• popularer

• less more popular

• much more popular

• the more popular

Answer explanation

Use a lot, far, or much with adjectives to make the contrast stronger.

Living in Cambodia is _____ living in Thailand.

• not as stressful as

• as stressful than

• stressfuller than

• less as stressful as

Answer explanation

You can use not as + adjective + as to say something is less (adjective) than.

In genderal, more education leads to _____ salaries.

• higher

• high

• more

• higher than

Answer explanation

We use comparative adjectives with one noun to say more/less than is normal.