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Comparison Phrases‏‎ in English

Language Functions

To compare different things, we can use a number of different Comparison Phrases.

Equality/Inequality

{as} + {adjective/adverb} + {as}
He is as tall as me.
They work as slowly as I do.

In positive sentences we can use as…as, in negative sentences we use as…as or so…as

They are not so clever as us.
They are not as clever as us.
{the same} + [noun phrase] + {as}
This colour is the same as that colour
This is the same colour as that.

Comparison

We use the following expressions when we are explaining something we have seen or noticed:

{subject} + {verb} + {as} + {if/though} …
I am very tired. I feel as if I haven’t slept for a week.
The weather is cold. It looks as though it is going to snow.

like means the same but it is very informal:

Their clothes were ripped. They looked like they had been in a fight.

Similarity

When two people or objects are similar, we can use like or as:

He looks like you.
No one drives as the Italians do.

Difference

To show difference, we can use this phrase:

{different} + {from}
They are different from us.

Ability/Inability

To show ability or inability, we can use these phrases:

{such} + {noun phrase} + {that}
He is such a good player that he will play for the national team.
It was such bad weather that they canceled the excursion.
{so} + {adjective} + {a/an} + {non-countable noun phrase} + {that}
He is so good a player that he will play for the national team.
They are so bad a team that they will all be sacked.
{so} + {adjective} + {that}
He is so good that he will play for the national team.
The weather was so bad that t hey canceled the excursion.
{too} + {adjective} + {to} + {infinitive}
This is too good to be true!
He is too small to be a policeman.
We are too old to fight.
{too} + {adjective} + {for} + {person} + {to} + {infinitive}
It was too distant for me to see.
He is too good for me.
He is too good for me to beat.
{adjective} + {for} + {person} + {to} + {infinitive}
That was easy for you to say.
It was difficult for me to do.
 

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