1. Introduction

Unit 9ab deals with comparison, namely tracking the improvements of similar products. Comparing and contrasting is a very important skill, as to a certain extent, our life is based on choice. Very often, we need to weigh alternatives, evaluate them and choose or recommend the most appropriate one for a particular purpose. We usually do this by measuring the alternatives or items against some criteria such as quantity, and cost. Linguistically, we can use comparison and contrast phrases, but this unit will mainly focus on the easiest method of comparison: comparatives and superlatives. Technical contexts are going to be used: first, we will deal with some transportation systems before touching on electrical topics.

Contents:

  • Comparatives of adjectives:

This car is more expensive than that one.

That car is faster than...

  • Comparatives of adverbs:

This car can accelerate faster than…

This car can accelerate less quickly than…

This car can accelerate more slowly than…

  • Modifying comparatives:

This car is far more expensive than that one.

That car is much faster than...

That car is (only) slightly slower than...

This car can accelerate a great deal faster than…

This car can accelerate a little less quickly than…

This car can accelerate a lot more slowly than…

  • Modifying comparatives in a more specific way:

This car is ten percent more expensive than that one.

This car is £1000 more expensive than that one.

That car is three times faster than...

That car is a third slower than...

That car is half as powerful as…

This car can accelerate twice as fast as…

  • Superlatives of adjectives:

This car is the greatest of all.

This car is the most powerful one of these three.

This car has the most expensive engine in the world.

This car has the least noisy engine I have ever come across.

This car has the most aerodynamically shaped body I have ever seen.

  • Modifying superlatives:

This car has by far the most expensive engine of the three vehicles.

This car is easily the most powerful one of these three.