B1 PRELIMINARY · GRAMMAR · READING PART 6 & WRITING
Comparatives and superlatives
Bigger than, the best, as … as, too and enough.
Finn says
Comparing things is useful everywhere: describing photos in Speaking, choosing in Part 3 ('the best idea is…') and in articles. Let's compare!
Comparatives and superlatives
Short adjectives
cheap → cheaper than → the cheapest
The bus is cheaper than the train.
Long adjectives
more / the most + adjective
This is the most interesting book I've read.
Irregular
good → better → the best · bad → worse → the worst · far → further → the furthest
Today is better than yesterday.
Other ways to compare
as … as
the same
My brother is as tall as my dad.
not as … as
less
The film wasn't as good as the book.
too / enough
too + adjective · adjective + enough
It's too cold to swim. I'm not old enough to drive.
How it comes up in Part 6
In Reading Part 6 you write one word in each gap. The missing words are often small grammar words like these.
My new phone is much faster than my old one.
After a comparative: than.
This is the best pizza I've ever eaten.
Superlatives need the.
The coffee was too hot to drink.
Too + adjective = more than is good.
Common mistakes
- ✗ She is more tall than me.✓ She is taller than me.Short adjectives take -er, not 'more'.
- ✗ It is the most good restaurant in town.✓ It is the best restaurant in town.Good → better → the best.
- ✗ He isn't enough old to drive.✓ He isn't old enough to drive.'Enough' comes after the adjective.
Finn's exam tip
If you see a comparative (bigger, more expensive) before the gap, the answer is usually 'than'. If you see 'as' before the adjective, the answer after it is 'as' too!
Quick check
Write one word in each gap.
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