Log in
B2 FIRST · GRAMMAR · PART 4

Comparisons

Comparatives, superlatives, (not) as … as, the more … the more, and much / far / a bit.

Finn the puffin with glasses and a book, your grammar teacher
Finn says

Part 4 loves turning one comparison into another: 'easier than' becomes 'not as difficult as'. Learn the patterns and you can switch between them in seconds!

Comparatives and superlatives

Short adjectives
adjective + -er / the + adjective + -est
cheap → cheaper → the cheapest
Long adjectives
more / the most + adjective
expensive → more expensive → the most expensive
Irregular
good – better – best; bad – worse – worst
This is the best pizza in town.
Less
less + adjective + than / the least
The bus is less comfortable than the train.

As … as

The same
as + adjective / adverb + as
Tom is as tall as his father.
Not the same
not as / not so + adjective + as
The film wasn't as good as the book. = The book was better.
With nouns
as much + uncountable / as many + plural + as
There weren't as many people as last year.
A big difference
not nearly as … as
It's not nearly as cold as yesterday. = It's much warmer.

Useful patterns

Superlative + ever
the + superlative + I've ever + past participle
It's the best film I've ever seen. = I've never seen a better film.
Nobody + comparative
Nobody is + comparative + than X = X is the + superlative
Nobody in the class is taller than Tom. = Tom is the tallest in the class.
Changing together
the + comparative …, the + comparative
The more you practise, the better you get.
Big or small difference
much / far / a lot / a bit + comparative
The test was much easier than I expected.

How it comes up in Part 4

In Part 4 you complete the second sentence with the key word, so that it means the same as the first one (2–5 words).

The train is faster than the bus.
AS
The bus isn't as fast as the train.

'Faster than' → 'not as fast as'. Remember: 'isn't' counts as two words.

I've never read such an exciting book.
MOST
This is the most exciting book I've ever read.

'Never … such a' becomes superlative + 'I've ever'.

If you study more, you'll learn more.
THE
The more you study , the more you will learn.

The + comparative …, the + comparative.

Common mistakes

  • ✗ She is more tall than her sister.✓ She is taller than her sister.Short adjectives take -er.
  • ✗ It's the most good restaurant in town.✓ It's the best restaurant in town.Good → better → the best.
  • ✗ He is not as clever than his brother.✓ He is not as clever as his brother.As … as, never as … than.
Finn the puffin, smiling kindly
Finn's exam tip

Check the subject of the new sentence. If it has changed, turn the comparison round: 'A is bigger than B' = 'B isn't as big as A' = 'B is smaller than A'.

Quick check

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Use the key word and write 2–5 words.

← All grammar topicsPractise Part 4 →

🇪🇸 Guía en español: Gramática del B2 First: qué entra en el examen y cómo estudiarla →

Practice → Check → Learn → Repeat ↻