Archive for September, 2010

Degree modifiers with comparatives and superlatives

September 18th, 2010 in Improve English

Very cannot be used with comparative adjectives. Instead, we use other words like much, far, very much, rather, a lot, any, no, a little and even.

Her boyfriend is much / far older than her. (NOT Her boyfriend is very older than her.)
Chinese is much more difficult than Hindi. (NOT Chinese is very more difficult than Hindi.)

Is she any better?
She doesn’t look any older than her daughter.

Notes

We do not normally use quiet with comparatives except in the expression ‘quiet better’.

Superlatives can be modified by much and by far. Other adverbs of degree such as almost, easily, practically and nearly can also be used with superlatives.

She is by far the oldest person in the office.
She is much the most creative among them.
That is easily the best movie I have seen this year.

Much more and many more

Much more is used before uncountable nouns. Many more is used before plural nouns.

Much more money
Many more opportunities

The words far, a lot etc., can be used before both uncountable and countable nouns.

Far more money / a lot more money
Far more opportunities / a lot more opportunities

Very with superlative adjectives

Very can be used with superlative adjectives. Very is also used before first, last and next.

This is your very last chance.
You are the very first person I have spoken to today.