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Unit 106 · Adjectives and adverbs

Comparative 2 (much better / any better etc.)

Study

A

Before comparatives you can use:

much a lot far (= a lot) a bit a little slightly (= a little)
›

I felt ill earlier, but I feel much better now. (or a lot better)

›

Don't go by train. It's a lot more expensive. (or much more expensive)

›

Could you speak a bit more slowly? (or a little more slowly)

›

This bag is slightly heavier than the other one.

›

The problem is far more serious than we thought at first.

B

You can use any and no + comparative (any longer / no bigger etc.):

›

I've waited long enough. I'm not waiting any longer. (= not even a little longer)

›

We expected their apartment to be very big, but it's no bigger than ours.

›

or … it isn't any bigger than ours. (= not even a little bigger)

›

How do you feel now? Do you feel any better?

›

This hotel is better than the other one, and it's no more expensive.

C

We repeat comparatives (better and better etc.) to say that something changes continuously:

›

Your English is improving. It's getting better and better.

›

The city has grown fast in recent years. It's got bigger and bigger.

›

As I listened to his story, I became more and more convinced that he was lying.

›

More and more tourists are visiting this part of the country.

D

You can say the sooner the better, the more the better etc. :

›

A: What time shall we leave? B: The sooner the better. (= as soon as possible)

›

A: What sort of bag do you want? A big one? B: Yes, the bigger the better. (= as big as possible)

›

When you're travelling, the less luggage you have the better.

We also use the … the … to say that one thing depends on another thing:

›

The sooner we leave, the earlier we'll arrive. (= if we leave sooner, we'll arrive earlier)

›

The younger you are, the easier it is to learn.

›

The more expensive the hotel, the better the service.

›

The more I thought about the plan, the less I liked it.

E

The comparative of old is older:

›

David looks older than he really is. (not looks elder)

We use elder only when we talk about people in a family (my elder sister, their elder son etc.). You can also use older:

›

My elder sister is a TV producer. (or My older sister …)

But we do not say that 'somebody is elder':

›

My sister is older than me. (not elder than me)

Exercises (5)

0/5 exercises checked
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106.1

Use the words in brackets to complete the sentences. Use much / a bit etc. + a comparative form. Use than where necessary.

  1. 1
    The problem is much more serious we thought at first. (much / serious)example
  2. 2
    This bag is too small. I need something . (much / big)
  3. 3
    I liked the museum. It was I expected. (a lot / interesting)
  4. 4
    It was very hot yesterday. Today it's . (a little / cool)
  5. 5
    I'm afraid the problem is it seems. (far / complicated)
  6. 6
    You're driving too fast. Can you drive ? (a bit / slowly)
  7. 7
    I thought he was younger than me, but in fact he's . (slightly / old)
106.2

Complete the sentences using any/no + comparative. Use than where necessary.

  1. 1
    I've waited long enough. I'm not waiting .example
  2. 2
    I'm sorry I'm a bit late, but I couldn't get here .
  3. 3
    This shop isn't expensive. The prices are anywhere else.
  4. 4
    I need to stop for a rest. I can't walk .
  5. 5
    The traffic isn't especially bad today. It's usual.
106.3

Complete the sentences using … and … (see Section C).

  1. 1
    It's getting to find a job. (difficult)example
  2. 2
    That hole in your sweater is getting . (big)
  3. 3
    I waited for my interview and became . (nervous)
  4. 4
    As the day went on, the weather got . (bad)
  5. 5
    Health care is becoming . (expensive)
  6. 6
    Since Anna went to Canada, her English has got . (good)
  7. 7
    These days I travel a lot. I'm spending away from home. (time)
106.4

Complete the sentences using the … the ….

  1. 1
    You learn things more easily when you're young.
    you are, it is to learn.example
  2. 2
    It's hard to concentrate when you're tired.
    you are, .
  3. 3
    We should decide what to do as soon as possible.
    , .
  4. 4
    I know more, but I understand less.
    , .
  5. 5
    If you use more electricity, your bill will be higher.
    you use, .
  6. 6
    Kate had to wait a long time and became more and more impatient.
    The , the more .
106.5

Use the words on the right to complete the sentences.

anybetterelderlesslongermorenoolderslightlythe
  1. 1
    I like to travel light. The luggage, the better.example
  2. 2
    The problem is getting and more serious.
  3. 3
    The more time I have, the it takes me to do things.
  4. 4
    I'm walking as fast as I can. I can't walk faster.
  5. 5
    The higher your income, more tax you have to pay.
  6. 6
    I'm surprised Anna is only 25. I thought she was .
  7. 7
    Jane's sister is a nurse.
  8. 8
    I was a little late. The journey took longer than I expected.
  9. 9
    Applications for the job must be received later than 15 April.
  10. 10
    Don't tell him anything. The he knows, the .