([The climate in the north] is [more severe] [than] [that] of the south)
- (noun[singular]): The climate in the north
- is
- (more adjective): more severe
- (than): than
- (that): that
- of the south
([The climate in the north] is [colder] [than] [that] of the south)
- (noun[singular]): The climate in the north
- is
- (adjective -er): colder
- (than): than
- (that): that
- of the south
([The price] are [more expensive] [than] [those] at a discount store)
- (noun[plural]): The prices
- are
- (more adjective): more expensive
- (than): than
- (those): those
- at a discount store
([The price] are [higher] [than] [those] at a discount store)
- (noun[plural]): The prices
- are
- (adjective -er): higher
- (than): than
- (those): those
- at a discount store
([Football in the U.S.] is [different] [from] [that] of other countries)
- (noun[singular]): Football in the U.S.
- is
- (different): different
- (from): form
- (that): that
- of other countries
([The rules] are [different] [from] [that] of soccer)
- (noun[plural]): The rules
- are
- (different): different
- (from): form
- (those): those
- of socces
Remember that comparisons must be made with logically comparable nouns.
Avoid omitting (that) and (those). Avoid using (than) instead of (from) with (different.
Examples.
Incorrect: (Her qualifications) are (better than any) other candidate.
Correct: (Her qualifications) are (better than those) of any other candidate.
Incorrect: (The food) in my country is (very different than that) of the United States.
Correct: (The food) in my country is (very different from that) of the United States.
Incorrect: Professor Baker's (class) is (more interesting than) Professor Hery.
Correct: Professor Baker's (class) is (more interesting than that) of Professor Hery.
Incorrect: (The audience) is much (larger than last) year's concert.
Correct: (The audience) is much (larger than that) at last year's concert.
Incorrect: (The classes) at my university are very (different from) State University.
Correct: (The classes) at my university are very (different from those) at State University.
Problems With Comparatives (5): Adjective Comparatives.
(An essay test is [more difficult] [than] an objective test)
- An essay test is
- (more adjective): more difficult
- (than): than
- an objective test
(An essay test is [hader] [than] an objective test)
- An essay test is
- (adjective -er): harder
- (than): than
- an objective test
Remember that two- and three-syllable adjectives adjectives form the comparative by using (more) before the adjective form. One-syllable adjectives form the comparative by using (-er) after the adjective form. Two-syllable adjectives which end in (y) form the comparative by changing the (y) to (i) and adding (-er).
Avoid using (as) or (that) instead of (than). Avoid using both (more) and an (-er) form with the same adjective.
Examples:
Incorrect: She is (more prettier than) her sister.
Correct: She is (prettier than) her sister.
Incorrect: The results of the second experiment are even (better as) the results of the first one.
Correct: The results of the second experiment are even (better than) the results of the first one.
Incorrect: This room is (more spacious as) the other one.
Correct: This room is (more spacious than) the other one.
Incorrect: The bill which we received was (more higher than) the estimate.
Correct: The bill which we received was (higher than) the estimate.
Incorrect: If you had not been in such a hurry, you would have been able to do it (more better).
Correct: If you had not been in such a hurry, you would have been able to do it (better).
- An essay test is
- (more adjective): more difficult
- (than): than
- an objective test
(An essay test is [hader] [than] an objective test)
- An essay test is
- (adjective -er): harder
- (than): than
- an objective test
Remember that two- and three-syllable adjectives adjectives form the comparative by using (more) before the adjective form. One-syllable adjectives form the comparative by using (-er) after the adjective form. Two-syllable adjectives which end in (y) form the comparative by changing the (y) to (i) and adding (-er).
Avoid using (as) or (that) instead of (than). Avoid using both (more) and an (-er) form with the same adjective.
Examples:
Incorrect: She is (more prettier than) her sister.
Correct: She is (prettier than) her sister.
Incorrect: The results of the second experiment are even (better as) the results of the first one.
Correct: The results of the second experiment are even (better than) the results of the first one.
Incorrect: This room is (more spacious as) the other one.
Correct: This room is (more spacious than) the other one.
Incorrect: The bill which we received was (more higher than) the estimate.
Correct: The bill which we received was (higher than) the estimate.
Incorrect: If you had not been in such a hurry, you would have been able to do it (more better).
Correct: If you had not been in such a hurry, you would have been able to do it (better).
Problems With Comparatives (4): Multiple Comparatives.
(Fresh fruit costs [twice] [as] [much] [as] canned fruit)
- Fresh fruit costs
- (multiple): twice
- (as): as
- (much): much
- (as): as
- canned fruit
(We have [half] [as] [many] [as] we need)
- We have
- (multiple): half
- (as): as
- (many): many
- (as): as
- we need
Remember that the following are examples of multiple numbers:
- half
- twice
- three times
- four times
- five times
Avoid using (so) instead of (as) after a multiple. Avoid using (more than) instead of (as much as) or (as many as). Avoid using the multiple after (as much as) and (as many as).
Examples:
Incorrect: This one is prettier, but it costs (twice more than) the other one.
Correct: This one is prettier, but it costs (twice as much as) the other one.
Incorrect: The rent at College Apartments is only (half so much as) you pay here.
Correct: The rent at College Apartments is only (half as much as) you pay here.
Incorrect: Bob found a job that paid (as much twice as) he made working at the library.
Correct: Bob found a job that paid (twice as much as) he made working at the library.
Incorrect: The price was very reasonable; I would gladly have paid (three times more than) he asked.
Correct: The price was very reasonable; I would gladly have paid (three times as much as) he asked.
Incorrect: We didn't buy the car because they wanted (as much twice as) it was worth.
Correct: We didn't buy the car because they wanted (twice as much as) it was worth.
- Fresh fruit costs
- (multiple): twice
- (as): as
- (much): much
- (as): as
- canned fruit
(We have [half] [as] [many] [as] we need)
- We have
- (multiple): half
- (as): as
- (many): many
- (as): as
- we need
Remember that the following are examples of multiple numbers:
- half
- twice
- three times
- four times
- five times
Avoid using (so) instead of (as) after a multiple. Avoid using (more than) instead of (as much as) or (as many as). Avoid using the multiple after (as much as) and (as many as).
Examples:
Incorrect: This one is prettier, but it costs (twice more than) the other one.
Correct: This one is prettier, but it costs (twice as much as) the other one.
Incorrect: The rent at College Apartments is only (half so much as) you pay here.
Correct: The rent at College Apartments is only (half as much as) you pay here.
Incorrect: Bob found a job that paid (as much twice as) he made working at the library.
Correct: Bob found a job that paid (twice as much as) he made working at the library.
Incorrect: The price was very reasonable; I would gladly have paid (three times more than) he asked.
Correct: The price was very reasonable; I would gladly have paid (three times as much as) he asked.
Incorrect: We didn't buy the car because they wanted (as much twice as) it was worth.
Correct: We didn't buy the car because they wanted (twice as much as) it was worth.
Problems With Comparatives (3): Pseudo-Comparatives.
Remember that although (as high as) and (as soon as) appear to be comparatives, they are idioms. (As high as) introduces a limit of height or cost. (As soon as) introduces a limit of time.
(The price of a haircut runs [as high as] five dollars)
- The price of a haircut runs
- (as high as): as high as
- five dollars
([He] [will] [go] home [as soon as] [he] [graduates])
- (S): He
- (will): will
- (verb): go
- home
- (as soon as): as soon as
- (S): he
- (V[present]): graduates
Avoid using (to) instead of (as). Avoid using (will) and a verb word instead of a present verb after (as soon as).
Examples:
Incorrect: I plan to move (as soon as) (I will) find another apartment.
Correct: I plan to move (as soon as) (I find) another apartment.
Incorrect: Since taxi fare from the airport may run (as high to) twenty dollars, I suggest that you take a limousine.
Correct: Since taxi fare from the airport may run (as high as) twenty dollars, I suggest that you take a limousine.
Incorrect: She will call you back (as soon as) (she will finish) dinner.
Correct: She will call you back (as soon as) (she finishes) dinner.
Incorrect: The cost of one day in an average hospital can run (as high to) $ 250.
Correct: The cost of one day in an average hospital can run (as high as) $ 250.
Incorrect: Your application will be considered (as soon as) (your file will be) complete.
Correct: Your application will be considered (as soon as) (your file is) complete.
(The price of a haircut runs [as high as] five dollars)
- The price of a haircut runs
- (as high as): as high as
- five dollars
([He] [will] [go] home [as soon as] [he] [graduates])
- (S): He
- (will): will
- (verb): go
- home
- (as soon as): as soon as
- (S): he
- (V[present]): graduates
Avoid using (to) instead of (as). Avoid using (will) and a verb word instead of a present verb after (as soon as).
Examples:
Incorrect: I plan to move (as soon as) (I will) find another apartment.
Correct: I plan to move (as soon as) (I find) another apartment.
Incorrect: Since taxi fare from the airport may run (as high to) twenty dollars, I suggest that you take a limousine.
Correct: Since taxi fare from the airport may run (as high as) twenty dollars, I suggest that you take a limousine.
Incorrect: She will call you back (as soon as) (she will finish) dinner.
Correct: She will call you back (as soon as) (she finishes) dinner.
Incorrect: The cost of one day in an average hospital can run (as high to) $ 250.
Correct: The cost of one day in an average hospital can run (as high as) $ 250.
Incorrect: Your application will be considered (as soon as) (your file will be) complete.
Correct: Your application will be considered (as soon as) (your file is) complete.
Problems With Comparatives (2): More Noun Comparatives.
(She is the same age as john)
- (noun): She
- (V): is
- (the same): the same
- (noun[quality]): age
- (as): as
- (noun): john
Remember that the following are examples of quality nouns:
- age
- color
- height
- length
- price
- size
- style
- weight
Avoid using (to), (than), or (like) instead of (as). Avoid using a quality adjective instead of a quality noun after (the same).
(She is as old as john)
- (noun): She
- (V): is
- (as): as
- (adjective[quality]): old
- (as): as
- (noun): john
Remember that the following are examples of quality adjectives:
- big
- cheap
- clear
- easy
- expensive
- hard
- heavy
- large
- light
- little
- long
- old
- short
- small
- tall
- young
Avoid using (to), (than), or (like) instead of (as). Avoid using a quality noun instead of a quality adjective after (as).
Examples:
Incorrect: Mary worked (as hard than) Bill did.
Correct: Mary worked (as hard as) Bill did.
Incorrect: I want to buy a pair of shoes (the same style like) these I'm wearing.
Correct: I want to buy a pair of shoes (the same style as) these I'm wearing.
Incorrect: Miss Monas' English is not (as clear than) Dr. Hery's.
Correct: Miss Monas' English is not (as clear as) Dr. Hery's.
Incorrect: This is not (the same big as) the rest of the apartments.
Correct: This is not (the same size as) the rest of the apartments.
Incorrect: He is not (as tall like) his brother.
Correct: He is not (as tall as) his brother.
- (noun): She
- (V): is
- (the same): the same
- (noun[quality]): age
- (as): as
- (noun): john
Remember that the following are examples of quality nouns:
- age
- color
- height
- length
- price
- size
- style
- weight
Avoid using (to), (than), or (like) instead of (as). Avoid using a quality adjective instead of a quality noun after (the same).
(She is as old as john)
- (noun): She
- (V): is
- (as): as
- (adjective[quality]): old
- (as): as
- (noun): john
Remember that the following are examples of quality adjectives:
- big
- cheap
- clear
- easy
- expensive
- hard
- heavy
- large
- light
- little
- long
- old
- short
- small
- tall
- young
Avoid using (to), (than), or (like) instead of (as). Avoid using a quality noun instead of a quality adjective after (as).
Examples:
Incorrect: Mary worked (as hard than) Bill did.
Correct: Mary worked (as hard as) Bill did.
Incorrect: I want to buy a pair of shoes (the same style like) these I'm wearing.
Correct: I want to buy a pair of shoes (the same style as) these I'm wearing.
Incorrect: Miss Monas' English is not (as clear than) Dr. Hery's.
Correct: Miss Monas' English is not (as clear as) Dr. Hery's.
Incorrect: This is not (the same big as) the rest of the apartments.
Correct: This is not (the same size as) the rest of the apartments.
Incorrect: He is not (as tall like) his brother.
Correct: He is not (as tall as) his brother.
Problems With Comparatives (1): Noun Comparatives.
(I believe that [this coat] [is] [like] [that one])
- I believe that
- (noun): this coat
- (V): is
- (like): like
- (noun): that one
Remember that (like) is a preposition. (As) is a conjunction. Avoid using (as) instead of (like) in prepositional phrases.
(I believe that [this coat] [is] [the same as] [that one])
- I believe that
- (noun): this coat
- (V): is
- (the same as): the same as
- (noun): that one
Avoid using (to), (that), or (like) instead of (as) in the phrase with (the same).
Examples:
Incorrect: That car is almost (the same like) mine.
Correct: That car is almost (like) mine.
[OR]
Correct: That car is almost (the same as) mine.
Incorrect: The weather feels (as) spring.
Correct: The weather feels (like) spring.
Incorrect: My briefcase is exactly (the same that) yours.
Correct: My briefcase is exactly (like) yours.
[OR]
Correct: My briefcase is exactly (the same as) yours.
Incorrect: I would like to see a suit (as) the one in the window.
Correct: I would like to see a suit (like) the one in the window.
[OR]
Correct: I would like to see a suit (the same as) the one in the window.
Incorrect: Is your book (the same to) mine?
Correct: Is your book (like) mine?
[OR]
Correct: Is your book (the same as) mine?
- I believe that
- (noun): this coat
- (V): is
- (like): like
- (noun): that one
Remember that (like) is a preposition. (As) is a conjunction. Avoid using (as) instead of (like) in prepositional phrases.
(I believe that [this coat] [is] [the same as] [that one])
- I believe that
- (noun): this coat
- (V): is
- (the same as): the same as
- (noun): that one
Avoid using (to), (that), or (like) instead of (as) in the phrase with (the same).
Examples:
Incorrect: That car is almost (the same like) mine.
Correct: That car is almost (like) mine.
[OR]
Correct: That car is almost (the same as) mine.
Incorrect: The weather feels (as) spring.
Correct: The weather feels (like) spring.
Incorrect: My briefcase is exactly (the same that) yours.
Correct: My briefcase is exactly (like) yours.
[OR]
Correct: My briefcase is exactly (the same as) yours.
Incorrect: I would like to see a suit (as) the one in the window.
Correct: I would like to see a suit (like) the one in the window.
[OR]
Correct: I would like to see a suit (the same as) the one in the window.
Incorrect: Is your book (the same to) mine?
Correct: Is your book (like) mine?
[OR]
Correct: Is your book (the same as) mine?
Problems With Modifiers (10): Dates.
(Valentines Day is on [the] [fourteenth] [of] [February])
- Valentines Day is on
- (the): the
- (ordinal number): fourteenth
- (of): of
- (month): February
Avoid using a cardinal number instead of an ordinal number after (the). Avoid omitting (of) or (the) from the pattern.
Examples:
Incorrect: I have an appointment on (the five of june) at three o'clock.
Correct: I have an appointment on (the fifth of june) at three o'clock.
Incorrect: School starts on (sixteen September) this year.
Correct: School starts on (the sixteen of September) this year.
Incorrect: Her birthday is (second December).
Correct: Her birthday is (the second of December).
Incorrect: Please change my reservation to (the ten of November).
Correct: Please change my reservation to (the tenth of November).
Incorrect: Independence Day in the United States is (the four of July).
Correct: Independence Day in the United States is (the fourth of July).
- Valentines Day is on
- (the): the
- (ordinal number): fourteenth
- (of): of
- (month): February
Avoid using a cardinal number instead of an ordinal number after (the). Avoid omitting (of) or (the) from the pattern.
Examples:
Incorrect: I have an appointment on (the five of june) at three o'clock.
Correct: I have an appointment on (the fifth of june) at three o'clock.
Incorrect: School starts on (sixteen September) this year.
Correct: School starts on (the sixteen of September) this year.
Incorrect: Her birthday is (second December).
Correct: Her birthday is (the second of December).
Incorrect: Please change my reservation to (the ten of November).
Correct: Please change my reservation to (the tenth of November).
Incorrect: Independence Day in the United States is (the four of July).
Correct: Independence Day in the United States is (the fourth of July).
