Comparison using positive adjectives and adverbs

Positive adjectives and adverbs can be used for comparing. Several different grammatical structures are possible.

As ... as ...

This structure is used to say that people, things, actions or events are equal in a particular way.

• A car is as fast as a bus.
• Alice is as beautiful as Mary.
• Tom is as tall as Harry.

If we want to say that people, things etc are unequal in a particular way, we can use not so ... as ... or not as ... as ...

• Tom is not as/so tall as Harry.
• A car is not as/so fast as a train.
• Alice is not as/so beautiful as Susie.

No other as ... as ...

This structure can be used to compare one person or thing with the whole group that she/he/it belongs to.

• No other girl is as intelligent as Alice.
• No other metal is as useful as iron.
• No other river is as long as the Niles.

As much/many ... as .../as few/little ... as ...

This structure is used to make a comparison of quantity.

• I earn as much money as you.
• Alice has as many children as Mary.
• Tom earns as much as Harry.
• We have as many cars as them.
• They have as few visitors as we have.
• They have as little money as we have.

In an informal style, we use object pronouns (us, them, him etc.) after as. In a more formal style, subject pronouns are used usually with verbs.

• I earn as much money as he does.
• We have as many children as they have.

Not as much/many ... as ...

This structure can be used to say that quantities are not equal in a particular way.

• He does not earn as much as I do.
• Harry does not eat as much food as Tom does.
• We do not have as many visitors as them.

Sections in this article

Degrees of Comparison
Comparison using positive adjectives and adverbs
Comparison using comparative adjectives and adverbs
Comparison using superlative adjectives and adverbs
The difference between comparative and superlative
Degree modifiers with comparatives and superlatives
Making comparisons
Comparison of adjectives and adverbs
Pronouns after as and than

More CBSE English Grammar worksheets

Passive voice worksheet | Simple past tense
Passive voice worksheet | Past continuous tense
Passive voice worksheet | Simple future tense
Passive voice worksheet | Future perfect tense