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Taking The TOEIC Skills and Strategies 2 (Chapter 2: Grammar Practice)

Comparisons - Grammar Notes

Grammar Notes

1. Regular Comparatives and Superlatives
Adjectives or adverbs can be used to compare two or more things.
A. Short adjectives and adverbs end in -(e)r in the comparative and -(e)st in the superlative form.
- The E22 ink cartridge is wider than the E21. (adjective)
- Operating this data entry program is the hardest part of my job. (adjective)
- He usually arrives later than the other interns. (adverb)
- Brian works the hardest of anyone in our department. (adverb)

Note: The following are exceptions: apt, just, pleased, rear, right, and wrong.

B. Long adjectives and adverbs (with two or more syllables) take more in the comparative form and most in the superlative form.
- The increase in profits was more gradual than we had hoped. (adjective)
- This is the most comprehensive translation checking service I've ever seen.
(adjective)
- The professional development handbook needs to be revised more thoroughly.
(adverb)
- This statement most clearly expresses my thoughts on the new proposal.
(adverb)

Note: The following adjectives can take both forms: polite, sincere, and clever.
- The third idea was the cleverest.
- The third idea was the most clever.

2. Irregular Comparatives and Superlatives
Irregular adjectives and adverbs do not take the forms above.
— good - better - best (adjective)
We need to find a better sample for the client.
— well - better - best (adverb)
We feel we are better prepared for the meeting than last time.

3. As...As Comparatives
- This form can be used only with the regular adjective and adverb forms.
- To multiply the size or amount, use twice, three times, etc., before the first as.
- Tom has been employed here as long as I have. ,
- The president earns twenty times as much money as I do..

4. Modification

- To modify comparatives, use the following words: much, very much, far, a little, a
bit, a lot, any, no, even, and still.

- To modify superlatives, use the following words: much, by far, quite, practically,
nearly, and easily.

- The new directions are much clearer than the old ones.

- Dr. Souza’s invention is easily the most advanced design in this field.

Note: The adverb very cannot be used to modify comparatives.

5. Use of The
- Before a comparative form, the is needed when it is followed by expressions such as of them and of the (number).
- The use of the is necessary when there is a superlative.
- Sally is the better of the two job candidates.
- He is the hardest worker on the assembly line.