Talking about similarities and differences

When we describe cities, people, or things, we often say how they are different or similar.
In English, we use comparatives and equatives to do this.

1️⃣ Comparatives

Showing Differences

We use comparative adjectives to show the difference between two people, things, or places.

Add -er for short adjectives (small → smaller).
Use more + adjective for long adjectives (beautiful → more beautiful).

Type	Form	Example
Short adjectives (1 syllable)	adjective + -er + than	Paris is smaller than London.
Adjectives ending in -e	adjective + -r + than	Rome is nicer than Madrid.
Short adjectives (CVC pattern)	double last letter + -er + than	New York is bigger than Boston.
Long adjectives (2+ syllables)	more + adjective + than	Tokyo is more expensive than Seoul.
Irregular adjectives	better / worse / farther	This café is better than that one.

🟢 Use “than” after the adjective.
🟢 Don’t use “more” and “-er” together.
❌ “more bigger than” → ✅ “bigger than”

2️⃣ Non-Equatives

Showing That Two Things Are Not the Same

A non-equative sentence shows a difference, but in a softer way than a comparative.
We use not as + adjective + as o say they are different.

Form	Meaning	Example
not as + adjective + as	not the same / weaker comparison	The countryside isn’t as crowded as the city.

Example	Meaning
The city is not as quiet as the countryside.	The city is noisier.
This café is not as big as that one.	That one is bigger.
My car is not as new as yours.	Yours is newer.

🟡 Tip:
“Non-equative” simply means “not equal” — two things are different in some way.

💡 “Not as…as” is often used to make a comparison sound softer or more polite:

“This hotel isn’t as comfortable as the other one.” (gentler than “worse than”)

3️⃣ Equatives

Showing That Two Things Are the Same

An equative shows that two things are equal in some way.

We use as + adjective + as to say two things are the same.

Form	Meaning	Example
as + adjective + as	the same	My town is as quiet as yours.
just as + adjective + as	completely equal (stronger)	This park is just as beautiful as the beach.

Example	Meaning
My house is as big as yours.	The houses are the same size.
Today is as cold as yesterday.	The temperature is the same.
This park is as beautiful as the beach.	They are equally beautiful.

🟡 Tip:
“Equative” simply means “ equal” — two things are similar.

🧠 Grammar Focus

✅ Comparatives:

• Use -er + than for short adjectives.
• Use more + adjective + than for long adjectives.
• Use better / worse / farther for irregular adjectives.

✅ Non-equatives:

• Use not as + adjective + as → “not as tall as,” “not as interesting as.”

✅ Equatives:

• Use as + adjective + as → “as fast as,” “as nice as.”

Let’s practice

Practice 1

Practice 2

Speaking