Expressing Comparatives in English - English language grammar lesson

Hi everybody, this is Misterduncan in England.

How are you today?

Are you okay?

I hope so!

Are you happy?

I hope so!

In today's lesson I will be showing you some example of words and sentences that can be

used to show the difference between things.

We will be taking a look at how we compare things using certain words and sentences.

Things that we see, things we experience and the things we do.

In this lesson we will take a look at...comparatives.

A comparative is a form of word usage that allows us to look at more than one thing and

express both the similarities and the differences.

You compare one thing to another.

You compare something with another thing.

In this sense you are making a comparison.

You are comparing one thing with another.

Comparatives can be a single word or a whole sentence.

You can compare one thing to another, or many things with each other.

The structure of a comparative can vary depending on what is being compared.

You can compare the size or colour of similar things, or compare the differences between

things that have little or nothing in common.

We compare things so as to work out what the positive and negative things are.

The action of a making a comparison can allow us to make a decision about something.

If you have to make a choice from a selection of things, then you will more than likely

make a comparison.

You will decide which thing suits you best.

You will select the thing that is best for you.

We can use 'compare to' or 'compare with' when making a comparison.

However there are differences between these forms of sentence.

'Compare to' means that you highlight the things in common, while 'compare with' means

that you examine the similarities and the differences.

You look at what is similar and what is different.

The Shakespeare line - ''Shall I compare thee to a summer's day'' is expressing the desire

to compare the similar things and some might say, the positive things in common between

a summer's day and a beautiful girl.

You can compare almost anything.

If you want to take a holiday, then you will need to decide where to go, where to stay,

what type of accommodation you want or more importantly, what you can afford.

You will compare destinations and locations, you will compare hotel costs.

Can you afford a three star hotel or a four star one?

You will compare the prices of the hotels.

Before spending money, we normally make a comparison of some sort.

Which television should I buy, the expensive one or the slightly cheaper one?

Which car insurance should I purchase?

What are the differences between the low priced one and the much pricier one?

If you cannot afford the expensive thing then there is a good chance that you will have

to make a compromise.

This means that you settle for something slightly less than you originally intended.

A good example of comparing and compromising is buying a house.

Most people cannot afford the house they want, so they compare the ones they can afford and

decide which gives them the most.

You really want a large house with a big garden, but all you can afford is a large house with

a small garden, or a small house with a large garden.

So you have to compare the two and make a compromise.

Comparisons will include the benefits of a large garden over a small one and the advantages

of having a large house, compared to a one.

It is not unusual for people to make compromises and quite often, the bigger the decision,

the more compromises there are to be make.

Unless you win millions on the lottery, there will always be compromises to be made.

Let's look at some examples of comparatives...here are two

I am taller than him.

I am shorter than him.

He is happier.

He is sadder Here we are comparing size and mood.

Comparatives when looking at something or when making an observation.

We use 'than' when making a direct comparison between two things or groups.X

Height - taller than - shorter than Weight - heavier than - lighter than

Length - longer than - shorter than Width - wider than - narrower than

Heat - hotter than - colder than Heat - warmer than - cooler than

Fit - looser than - tighter than Light - brighter than - darker

Light - lighter than - duller than Emotion - happier than - sadder than

Price - costlier - cheaper Moisture - wetter than - drier than

Density - harder than - softer than Size - bigger than - smaller than

Sound - louder than - quieter than Depth - deeper than - shallower than

Activity - busier - quieter

If you notice a change in something, then it is possible to use a comparative to show

that this has been observed.

''You look taller.''

''You seem happier.''

''You look healthier.''

''You look thinner.''

We can compare how something is now to how it was.

''You don't seem as happy as you did last week.''

''You seemed happier last week.''

We can use 'more' or 'less' to show a comparison and in some cases 'much'.

''You seem more happy today.''

''You seemed less happy last week.''

''This coat is much cheaper than that one.

''We use more or less to show that something has become 'better' or 'worse'.

Of course this depends on whether it is used with a negative word or not.

For example - 'more happy' is the same as 'less sad' and 'less happy' is the same as

'more sad'.

It is always easier and more acceptable to use the simple form...'happier' and 'sadder'

or 'more happy'...or simply 'better' and 'worse'.

When making comparisons we can say that one thing is not as...followed by the adjective.

''It's not as cold as yesterday.''

''You don't seem as happy as (you did) last week.''

''It is not as hot as it was yesterday.''

I'm not as old as you.''

In these sentences we are comparing something as it is now with how it was in

the past.

Whenever I look at an old photograph of myself, I cannot help but make comparisons.

I looked so much younger then.

I had so much more hair then.

I seemed more relaxed back then.

These are all comparative observations.

I'm comparing the Duncan of long ago, with the one of today.

These comparisons are relevant in some ways and irrelevant in others.

It is much easier to compare the appearance of a person then and now, than it is to compare

their character or manner, as these things can change back and forth over time.

There are some comparatives that do not exist but are sometimes wrongly used.

For example - gooder betterer worser dangerouser These are not real words.

We can use 'more than' and 'less than' to show a comparison of cost, height, weight,

length, width and general appearance.

Comparing things allows us to highlight the exact differences between two or more things.

If you were judging a singing contest, then you would be comparing the ability of each

contestant with the other who were performing.

It is hard to judge something without making some sort of comparison.

''She is a better singer than the previous contestant, but she looks more nervous than

last week's winner.''

We can compare one thing with many other things.

As I said earlier, making a comparison normally means that at some point, a choice has to

be made.

Be it the winner of a talent show, or which brand of washing powder

to use.

I hope you have enjoyed today's lesson.

How does it compare to the others I have made.

It is better?

Is it worse?

Is it about the same?

I'm sure you will let me know.

It is time for me to go now.

I have to decide what to have for dinner.

What will it be.

A fast quick ready meal, or a slow cooked healthy one?

I will compare the two and make a decision.

This is Misterduncan in England saying thanks for choosing to watch me teach you...and of

course...ta-ta for now.