OXFORD PRACTICE GRAMMAR
111 COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE PATTERNS (1)
A Introduction
There are a number of different sentence patterns with
comparative and superlative forms, e.g. older than me, the
sweetest man in the world.
B The comparative and than
We often use a phrase with than after a comparative. This
restaurant is nicer than the Pizza House. I had a bigger
meal than you. The steak is more expensive than the fish.
C The superlative
We normally use the before a superlative.
The quickest way is along this path. The last question is
the most difficult. Note the pattern with one of.
Michael Jackson is one of the most famous pop singers ever.
After a superlative we can use in or of. We use in with places and with
groups of people, e.g. team.
It's the most expensive hotel in Oxford. Who is the best player in the team?
This question is the most difficult of all. August is the wettest month of the
year.
We often use a clause after a superlative.
That was the most delicious meal (that) I've ever eaten.
Melanie is the nicest person you could meet.
D As... as
We use as ... as to say that things are equal or unequal. Our house is as big
as yours. They're the same size, NOT It is so big as yours. It's warmer today.
It
isn't as cold as yesterday.
In a negative sentence we can also use so ... as, but this is less common than
as ... as.
This flat isn't as big as/so big as our old one.

Write sentences from the notes. Use the superlative form of the adjective.
► Melanie / kind person /1 know Melanie is the kindest person I know.
1 Friday / busy day / week
………………………………………………………………. of the week.
2 the Metropole / nice hotel / town
…………………………………………………….
3 this watch / one / cheap / you can buy
……………………………………………….
4 this Beatles album / good / they ever made
…………………………………………..
5 Alan / successful salesman / company
…………………………………………………
3 As... as (D)
Use the notes and add sentences with isn't as ... as.
► a car / a motor bike / expensive
Why don't you buy a motor bike? A motor bike isn't as expensive as a car.
1 metal / plastic / strong
I don't like these plastic screws...................................................................
2 the armchair / the stool / comfortable
Oh, don't sit there. .....................................................................................
3 surfing / swimming / exciting
I prefer surfing to swimming. ...............................................................
4 the post / e-mail / quick
A letter will take two days..........................................................................
4 Than me/than I am (E)
Choose the correct pronoun.
Tom: Why is Luke in our basketball team and not me? Aren't I as good as
(►) he/him? Is he taller than (1)
I/me? Is he a better player than (2) I am/me am?
Nick: I don't know. I can't understand why I'm in the team. You and Luke