Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 106 · B1

Comparative 2 (much better / any better etc.)

Much, a lot, far, a bit and slightly go before comparatives; any and no make not even a little; better and better shows steady change; the sooner the better links two changes; and elder is only for family.

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 28 minutes

In this lesson

much, a lot, far, a bit, slightlyA2 screens of questions
any and no + comparativeB1 screen of questions
better and better, more and moreC2 screens of questions
the ... the ...D2 screens of questions
older and elderE1 screen of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 5

much, a lot, far, a bit, slightly

A comparative can be strengthened with much, far, a lot (a big difference) or softened with slightly, a little, a bit (a small one).

  • I was really ill at the weekend, but I'm much better today.
  • Don't get the train. It's a lot more expensive.
  • Could you talk a bit more slowly?
  • My laptop is slightly lighter than yours.
  • The damage is far worse than we thought.

Point A · Exercise 106.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with much, a bit and so on + a comparative, using the words in brackets. Use than where necessary.

  1. Example

    The problem is much more complicated than we realised at first. (much / complicated)

    AnswerThe problem is much more complicated than we realised at first.

  2. This flat is far too cramped. We need somewhere . (much / big)

  3. I enjoyed the castle. It was I expected. (a lot / interesting)

  4. It was boiling yesterday. Today it's . (a little / cool)

  5. I'm afraid the situation is it looks. (far / complicated)

Point A · Exercise 106.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with much, a bit and so on + a comparative, using the words in brackets. Use than where necessary.

  1. You're walking too quickly for me. Could you walk ? (a bit / slowly)

  2. I assumed the shed was smaller than the garage, but it's . (slightly / big)

Point B of 5

any and no + comparative

Any and no + comparative mean not even a little.

  • I've given you three chances. I'm not giving you any more.
  • We thought their garden would be huge, but it's no bigger than ours.
  • It isn't any bigger than ours.
  • How are you feeling? Any better?
  • This flat is nicer than the last one, and it's no more expensive.

Point B · Exercise 106.2

Complete the sentences with any or no + a comparative. Use than where necessary.

  1. Example

    I've given you three chances. I'm not giving you any more.

    AnswerI've given you three chances. I'm not giving you any more.

  2. Apologies for the delay. We really couldn't have sent it .

  3. This shop isn't dear. The prices are anywhere else.

  4. I need a rest. I can't walk .

  5. The traffic isn't particularly bad today. It's usual.

Point C of 5

better and better, more and more

Repeat the comparative to say something keeps changing.

  • Your English is coming on. It's getting better and better.
  • The town has grown fast. It's got bigger and bigger.
  • As I listened, I became more and more convinced he was lying.
  • More and more tourists are coming to the Dales.

Point C · Exercise 106.3 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with ... and ... .

  1. Example

    Houses round here are getting more and more expensive. (expensive)

    AnswerHouses round here are getting more and more expensive.

  2. That hole in your jumper is getting . (big)

  3. I waited outside the interview room and got . (nervous)

  4. The longer the meeting went on, the atmosphere got . (tense)

  5. Childcare is becoming . (expensive)

Point C · Exercise 106.3 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with ... and ... .

  1. Since Hana moved to Galway, her English has got . (good)

  2. I travel a lot for work these days. I'm spending away from home. (time)

Point D of 5

the ... the ...

The sooner the better means as soon as possible; the bigger the better means as big as possible.

The ... the ... also says one thing depends on another.

  • "What time shall we set off?" "The sooner the better."
  • "How strong do you like your coffee?" "The stronger the better."
  • On a hike, the lighter your rucksack the better.
  • The earlier we book, the cheaper the tickets will be.
  • The more you practise, the easier it gets.
  • The posher the hotel, the better the service.
  • The longer I looked at the painting, the more I liked it.

Point D · Exercise 106.4 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences with the ... the ... .

  1. Example

    Practice makes things easier. The more you practise, the easier it gets.

    AnswerThe more you practise, the easier it gets.

  2. Noise makes it hard to sleep. The noisier it is, .

  3. We should decide as soon as possible. , the better.

  4. I earn more, but I save less. , the less I save.

  5. If you drive faster, you use more fuel. The faster you drive, .

Point D · Exercise 106.4 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences with the ... the ... .

  1. Ben stayed in the queue for ages and got crosser and crosser. , the crosser he got.

Point E of 5

older and elder

The comparative of old is older. Elder is limited to family members (her elder brother, our elder daughter), and older works there too. Never say somebody is elder.

  • Dave looks older than he is. (not looks elder)
  • My elder sister is a paramedic. (or My older sister)
  • Kate is two years older than her husband. (not elder than her husband)

Point E · Extra practice

Put in older or elder. Sometimes both are right.

  1. Dave looks than he is.

  2. My sister is a paramedic.

  3. Kate is two years than her husband.

Put it together · Exercise 106.5 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with one of these: any, better, elder, less, longer, more, no, older, slightly, the.

Use these

anybetterelderlesslongermorenoolderslightlythe

  1. Example

    I hate clutter. The less stuff in the house, the better.

    AnswerI hate clutter. The less stuff in the house, the better.

  2. The problem is getting and more serious.

  3. The more time I have, the it takes me to do things.

  4. This is my top speed. I can't run faster.

  5. The higher your income, more tax you pay.

Put it together · Exercise 106.5 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with one of these: any, better, elder, less, longer, more, no, older, slightly, the.

Use these

anybetterelderlesslongermorenoolderslightlythe

  1. I'm surprised Anna is only twenty-five. I thought she was .

  2. Jane's sister is a firefighter.

  3. I missed the start of the film. The traffic was heavier than usual.

  4. Applications must arrive later than 30 June.

Put it together · Exercise 106.5 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with one of these: any, better, elder, less, longer, more, no, older, slightly, the.

Use these

anybetterelderlesslongermorenoolderslightlythe

  1. Don't tell him anything. The he knows, the better.

Lesson 106 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Comparative 3 (as ... as / than)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. much, a lot, far, a bit, slightly–Not checkedB. any and no + comparative–Not checkedC. better and better, more and more–Not checkedD. the ... the ...–Not checkedE. older and elder–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked