Lesson 4
Vocabulary
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The comparative of equality
In English when we want to compare two things, we tend to use the “as … as” structure or to simplify it more “as + adjective + as” in order to say that two things are the same.
Examples:
Are you as fast as your cousin?
In the mountain, I felt as free as a bird.
When I saw her she was as tall as his mother.
This structure as well as being used in the affirmative can also be used in the negative to express that two things are not the same:
The weather in New York is not as good as it is in Miami.
Comparative and superlative
Adjectives can compare two things or more than two things. When we make these comparisons, we use comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Comparative of superiority and inferiority
One way to describe nouns (people, objects, animals, etc.) is by comparing them to something else. When comparing two things, you’re likely to use adjectives like smaller, bigger, taller, more interesting, and less expensive. Notice the ‑er ending, and the words more and less. A mistake that both native speakers and non-native speakers make is using incorrectly formed comparative adjectives. See the sentences below for an illustration of this common error:
Incorrect: Her kitchen is more big than mine. Inferiority: Her kitchen is less big than mine.
Correct: Her kitchen is bigger than mine.
So what makes the first example wrong and the second right? There are a few rules that explain this:
- For adjectives that are just one syllable, add -er to the end (this explains the above example).
- For two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y and for all three-or-more-syllable adjectives, use the form “more + adjective.”
- For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y, change the -y to –i and add -er.
Examples:
Correct: This tv show is more exciting than ever (less excinting)
Incorrect: This tv show is excitinger than ever
Correct: Johnn is funnier than Mike
Incorrect: Johnn is more funny than Mike
Irregular adjectives
It’s important to note that there are irregular adjectives (and adverbs) that you have to memorize because they don’t follow the rules we’ve seen before.
| Adjective/Adverb | Comparative | Superlative |
| good/well | better | best |
| bad/badly | worse | worst |
| far | farther, further | the farthest, the furthest |
| little | less | least |
Examples:
Today I had the best time visiting Egypt.
You dance better than I do.
I went farther than my friend when we walked around the park.
I do badly in math, but at least I’m not the worst .
Past participle and present participle
Present Participle
The new Bad Boys movie sounds interesting
The movie I am Legend was boring
The book was fascinating
Past Participle
I’m interested in the new Dwayne Johnson movie
I was bored of Blade Runner
I was fascinated by the book
Roleplay
Person 1: Do you want to see a movie tomorrow?
Person 2: Mmm. Maybe. What’s playing?
Person 1: How about the new Peter Jackson movie?
Person 2: Who’s Peter Jackson?
Person 1: You know. He directed The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings.
Person 2: Oh, The hobbit was boring. The book was fascinating but the movie was terrible. I’m Interested in that new Adam Sandler movie. It’s a romantic comedy. it’s been playing for a month.
Person 1: That sounds good. I’ve never seen him in a romantic movie, and I think he’s a wonderful actor!
Person 2: You never saw 50 First Dates? That’s got to be one of my favorites movies of all time!
Person 1: Actually, I didn’t see that.
Person 2: Well, I’ll check on the movie theater’s web site and find out what time this movie starts. …Oh no You wont believe this. The movie just finished playing last night.
Relative clauses
“Who” is used to refer to people:
The movie is about a guy who joins a corrupt law firm
“That” is used when you are talking about an object:
It’s a movie that was directed Guillermo del Toro
“That” can also be used to refer to people but is preferable to use “who”
The movie is about a guy that joins a corrupt law firm
“Which” is when you talk about an object while “that” is used to refer to people and objects.
Jerry was using a shirt which/that was too small for him
Roleplay
Person 1: This John Grisham novel looks interesting.
Person 2: Oh, it is. It’s about a guy who joins a corrupt law firm and then he can’t leave. Luckily he has a brave wife who helps him out the mess.
Person 1: Mmm. Maybe I’ll read it.
Person 2: Well, the movie is even better.
Person 1: Oh, is that the movie that stars tom cruise?
Person 2: Yeah. Why don’t we watch it online?
Person 1: You don’t mind seeing it again?
Person 2: Not at all. You find the movie, and I’ll bring the pop corn.