First, let’s review what comparatives are.

Comparatives are used to compare two things and show the difference between them.

For example:

The blue car is faster than the red car.

Now, let’s talk about how to modify comparatives. Modifying comparatives means adding words that change or emphasize the comparison being made. Here are some common ways to modify comparatives:

Showing Big Differences

When you want to show a big difference between two things, you can use modifying words such as “much”, “far”, “miles”, and “too”. These words can be used with a comparative adjective (e.g. “better”) or an adverb (e.g. “much better”) to emphasize the difference. Make sure you use the correct modifying word for the situation and place it in the right place in the sentence.

Simple comparative: The blue car is faster than the red car.

Modifying comparative: The blue car is much faster than the red car.

These words can be used with a comparative adjective (e.g. “better”) or an adverb (e.g. “much better”) to emphasize the difference.

These words can be used with a comparative adjective (e.g. “better”) or an adverb (e.g. “much better”) to emphasize the difference. Make sure you use the correct modifying word for the situation and place it in the right place in the sentence.

Examples:

1. The food at the new restaurant is much too spicy for me.
2. The traffic in the city is far worse than in the suburbs.
3. The hotel room we stayed in last night was miles better than the one we had before.
4. The new phone is too expensive for my budget.
5. Speaking is not nearly as easy as writing.

Showing Small Differences

If you want to show a small difference between two things, you can use modifying words such as “nearly”, “not enough”, “a bit”, and “slightly”.

Simple comparative: The blue car is faster than the red car.

Modifying comparative: The blue car is slightly faster than the red car.

These words can be used with a comparative adjective (e.g. “better”), an adverb (e.g. “slightly better”), or a preposition (e.g. “not quite as good as”) to indicate the degree of difference. Remember to be mindful of the context and use the correct type of modifying comparison for the situation.

Examples:

1. The coffee at this cafe is slightly better than the one at the other place.
2. My new computer is a bit faster than my old one.
3. The weather today is not quite as cold as yesterday.
4. The new project is not quite as challenging as the previous one.

Making Surprising Comparisons

Sometimes, you may want to make a surprising comparison to add emphasis or reveal unexpected information. Modifying words such as “even”, “actually”, and “surprisingly” can help you achieve this. For example, “Speaking is even more difficult” or “Listening is actually not as difficult as speaking”. These words can be used to challenge assumptions or add emphasis to the degree of difference. However, be careful of the tone and only use surprising comparisons when it adds value to your message.

Simple comparative: The blue car is faster than the red car.

Modifying comparative: The blue car is actually faster than the red car.

Examples:

1. The food at the vegan restaurant was surprisingly tasty.
2. The film was actually better than I expected it to be.
3. The new employee is even more productive than the previous one.
4. The exam was surprisingly easy.

Grammar Rules to Keep in Mind

Comparison Type	Modifying Words	Examples
Showing Big Differences	a lot, far, miles, not nearly	Indian food is a lot spicier than Canadian food.
		The traffic in the city is far worse than in the suburbs.
		The hotel room we stayed in last night was miles better than the one we had before.
		My house is not nearly as beautiful as her house.
		The new phone is too expensive for my budget.
Showing Small Differences	a bit, slightly, not enough, not quite,	The coffee at this café is slightly better than the one at the other place.
		My new computer is a bit faster than my old one.
		The weather today is not quite as cold as yesterday.
		The new project is not quite as challenging as the previous one.
Making Surprising Comparisons	even, actually, surprisingly	The food at the vegan restaurant was surprisingly tasty.
		The film was actually better than I expected it to be.
		The new employee is even more productive than the previous one.
		The exam was surprisingly easy.

When using modifying comparisons, it’s important to keep in mind some essential grammar rules, such as subject-verb agreement and adjective order. Always make sure you use the correct verb tense and adjective order when making comparisons. For instance, “There are far more parks now than before” (using subject-verb agreement correctly). Avoid common mistakes such as using the wrong verb tense or adjective order.

Modifying comparisons are tools you can use to show if something is a little bit better, way better, or even surprising.

By using the right words in the right place, you can make sure you’re expressing yourself accurately. It’s important to pay attention to the situation and use the best type of comparison. You’ll also want to remember grammar rules, so you can use them correctly.

With practice, you’ll get more comfortable using modifying comparisons in your writing and speaking, and you’ll be able to express yourself even better in English!

Related

Double comparatives

Speaking practice

1. Spin the wheel