chapter2comparison

2Chapter : Information&

W WWW WW W WW WWWWWW Krisda C

How technology has change d our lives?

• Can you think of some ways in which t echnology has changed our lives?

Computers

Talking/communication

Dating

Event planning

Flirting

Parents...

Photos/Data

TV watching

Comparison in English

Saying things are Saying things are

the samedifferent

Saying things are the same

• X is the same as Y• X is similar to Y• X and Y are the same/alike/similar.

• X resembles Y.

• X as..adj/adv..as Y.– Old Levis jeans are as rare as a Ming vase.– I like shopping here as much as in the market.

– She runs as fast as I do.

Saying things are different

• X is different from/than Y (in terms of + quality, price, etc ....)

• X is different from/than Y (in that X is….)

• X differs from Y (in terms of/in that …..)

• X is NOT as/so __(adj)____ as Y

• X and Y are different.• X and Y differ.

How are two things different?

Comparative degree Superlative degree

Quality Quantity Quality Quantity

Forms

• Note that some adjectives/adverbs are irregular– good better best– bad worse worst– far farther / further farthest/ furthest– many/much more most– little less least

adj/adv comparative superlative

short (one syllable)

fast faster fastest

long reliable

reliably

more reliable

more reliably

the most reliable

(the) most reliably

The comparative degree• Form:

– Short adjective/adverb: X + verb + er…..(than + Y)• Train tickets are cheaper now (than before)• I speak English better (than she does)

– Long adjective/adverb: X + verb + more…(than+ Y)• Train tickets are more expensive now (than before)• She sings more beautifully (than I do)

• To give more emphasis, we can add a word or phrase before the comparative.– The train is A LOT/FAR safer than a plane. – But, it is A BIT slower. It can take you MUCH nearer to the city, and it’s

a LITTLE quieter than road traffic.– This thing is TWICE/THREE TIMES/FOUR TIMES as expensive as that

thing.

Uses of Comparatives

• Quality– Is used when we compare two things in terms of

quality• An elephant is lighter than a whale.

– Is used to compare the quality of the same thing at different times• I look better now (than I did five years ago)

Superlatives• Form: short adj/adverbs adj/adv + est– Long adj/adverbs most + adj/adv

• Usually, you need the article “the” in front of a superlative adj/adv because that thing is different from all the others (thus, specific). But if it is an adverb, “the” is not necessary.– That was the best journey I’ve ever had.– He runs (the) fastest.

• Alternatively, a possessive (‘s or my, your, etc) or “one of the”, “some of the” can also be used.– This tunnel is Thailand’s longest road project.– Japan has one of the fastest trains in the world.

• You can also say “in + place…” or “of + time” after the superlative– This is the tallest building IN THE WORLD.– Yesterday was the hottest day OF THIS YEAR.

Comparing quantities

Plural nouns Uncountable nounsmore/the most

clothes, people, cars

more/the most

information, cheese

fewer/the fewest

fish, men, women

less/the least luggage/fuel

Examples of quantity comparison

• The train can carry MORE PEOPLE than a jet (can), but fewer people than a ship. It will use the least fuel (of any transportation system).