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The more…, the better; far/much/a bit + comparative
B2 B2 grammar · lesson 18 of 21
Here you go beyond simple comparatives. You learn how to make a comparison stronger or weaker and how to show that two things change together.
Making comparisons stronger or weaker
You can put a word before a comparative adjective or adverb to show how big the difference is.
| Big difference | Small difference |
|---|---|
| much, far, a lot, considerably | a bit, a little, slightly |
| The train is much faster than the bus. | This hotel is slightly cheaper. |
| Her English is far better than mine. | Can you speak a bit more slowly? |
Use even when something is already big or small, and it becomes more so: Yesterday was hot, but today is even hotter. Do not use very before a comparative.
The…, the…
Use the + comparative, the + comparative to show that one change causes another. Put a comma between the two parts.
The more you practise, the better you get.
The older I get, the less I sleep.
The sooner we leave, the earlier we’ll arrive.
The more money he earns, the more he spends.
The bigger, the better.
Other useful structures
- comparative + and + comparative for continuous change: It’s getting colder and colder. Prices are more and more expensive.
- not nearly as… as (big difference) and not quite as… as (small difference): The sequel is not nearly as good as the first film.
- twice / three times as… as: My flat is twice as big as yours.
- just as… as (exactly the same): Sam is just as tall as his dad.
Mia’s cooking is getting better and better.
The test was not quite as hard as I expected.
Tickets are three times as expensive as last year.
Common mistakes
✗ My new phone is very better than the old one.
✓ My new phone is much better than the old one.
✗ More you study, more you learn.
✓ The more you study, the more you learn.
✗ It’s getting more cold and more cold.
✓ It’s getting colder and colder.
✗ She’s twice older than her sister.
✓ She’s twice as old as her sister.