In this unit, we focus on how to compare people, things, and ideas, and how to express quantity and degree accurately. You’ll learn how to use comparative and superlative adjectives (taller, more expensive, the best), structures of equality (as…as, not as…as), and quantifiers (a few, a little, many, much, a lot of) to talk about amounts and differences.
We’ll also explore common intensifiers like too, enough, so, and such, and connect contrasting ideas using although, however, and but. These tools are essential for expressing opinions, preferences, and evaluations, whether you’re describing two cities, giving feedback, or comparing products. Mastering these patterns helps you communicate with more nuance, precision, and fluency.

15.1 COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
Objective:
To learn how to form and use comparative and superlative adjectives to compare two or more people, places, or things using correct grammar and structure.

🔹 COMPARATIVES – COMPARING TWO THINGS
Rule    Example
One-syllable adjective + -er    fast → faster → This car is faster.
Two-syllable adjective ending in -y → -ier    happy → happier → She’s happier today.
More than one syllable → use more + adjective    expensive → more expensive
Irregular forms    good → better, bad → worse
Structure:
A is adjective-er than B
A is more adjective than B
Examples:
This book is more interesting than that one.
Today is colder than yesterday.

🔸 SUPERLATIVES – COMPARING THREE OR MORE
Rule    Example
One-syllable adjective + -est    small → the smallest → He’s the smallest in the class.
Two-syllable ending in -y → -iest    busy → the busiest
More than one syllable → use the most + adjective    the most beautiful
Irregular forms    good → the best, bad → the worst
Structure:
A is the adjective-est (in/of group)
A is the most adjective
Examples:
She is the most talented singer here.
It’s the hottest day of the year.

🔹 COMPARING WITH “THAN”
Sentence Example
My phone is lighter than yours.
This exam was more difficult than the last one.
He runs faster than his brother.

🔸 COMMON IRREGULAR ADJECTIVES
Positive    Comparative    Superlative
good    better    the best
bad    worse    the worst
far    farther / further    the farthest / the furthest

🔹 SHORT VS. LONG ADJECTIVES
Type    Examples
Short    tall → taller, cold → colder
Long    intelligent → more intelligent, expensive → more expensive
✅ Long adjectives = 2+ syllables not ending in -y

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
A is (comparative) than B → My house is bigger than yours.
A is the (superlative) → This is the most important part.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
She is more taller than me.    She is taller than me.    Don’t use “more” with “-er”
He’s the most fastest runner.    He’s the fastest runner.    Avoid double comparative/superlative
It’s more hot today.    It’s hotter today.    Use “-er” with short adjectives
The film is the most funniest.    The film is the funniest.    Use “-est” if adjective is short

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Luis: This laptop is cheaper than the one I bought last year.
Anna: Really? Mine is the most expensive one in the store.
Luis: Is it also better?
Anna: Yes, it’s faster and lighter too.
Luis: Sounds like the best choice for work.

15.2 EQUALITY: “AS…AS”, “NOT AS…AS”
Objective:
To use the structure “as…as” to show equality or inequality between people, things, or situations, and to build sentences comparing similarity or difference.

🔹 “AS…AS” – EXPRESSING EQUALITY
Use as + adjective + as to say two things are equal in some way.
Structure    Example
as + adjective + as    She is as tall as her brother.
as + adverb + as    He runs as fast as I do.
✅ This means both things are equal in the quality described.

🔸 “NOT AS…AS” – EXPRESSING INEQUALITY
Use not as + adjective + as to say one thing is less than another.
Structure    Example
not as + adjective + as    This exam is not as difficult as the last one.
not as + adverb + as    He doesn’t drive as carefully as his sister.
✅ This structure is softer and more polite than saying “worse” or “less than.”

🔹 COMMON ADJECTIVES USED WITH “AS…AS”
Adjective    Examples
tall    I’m as tall as my cousin.
good    The movie was as good as I expected.
fast    She’s as fast as her teammates.
expensive    This phone is not as expensive as the other one.

🔸 ADDING MODIFIERS FOR EMPHASIS
Modifier    Use Example
just    She’s just as talented as her sister.
almost    It’s almost as big as the old one.
twice / three times    This room is twice as large as mine.
✅ Use these to make comparisons stronger or more specific.

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
A is as + adjective + as B → This chair is as comfortable as that one.
A is not as + adjective + as B → My car is not as fast as yours.
[Modifier] + as + adjective + as → This solution is almost as effective as the first.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
He is so tall as me.    He is as tall as me.    Use “as,” not “so,” for comparison
She is not so nice like her sister.    She is not as nice as her sister.    “like” is incorrect in this structure
This is as more expensive as that.    This is as expensive as that.    Do not add “more” to “as…as”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Daniel: Is this laptop as powerful as the other one?
Nina: No, it’s not as fast, but it’s lighter.
Daniel: So it’s not as good for gaming?
Nina: Not really, but it’s just as good for browsing and writing.
Daniel: Fair enough. I think I’ll choose this one anyway.

15.3 MAKING COMPARISONS WITH “MORE”, “LESS”, “FEWER”
Objective:
To use more, less, and fewer to compare quantities, qualities, and amounts, and to distinguish between countable and uncountable nouns when making comparisons.

🔹 “MORE” – A HIGHER QUANTITY OR DEGREE
Use With    Example
Countable nouns    She has more books than me.
Uncountable nouns    We need more water.
Adjectives    This phone is more expensive than that one.
Verbs    He works more than I do.
✅ “More” is the most common comparative for increasing something.

🔸 “LESS” – A SMALLER AMOUNT (UNCOUNTABLE)
Use With    Example
Uncountable nouns    I drink less coffee now.
Adjectives    This solution is less effective.
Verbs    She travels less than before.
✅ “Less” is used with uncountable nouns and to show lower intensity or quality.

🔹 “FEWER” – A SMALLER NUMBER (COUNTABLE)
Use With    Example
Countable nouns    There are fewer students this year.
Plural nouns    He made fewer mistakes than last time.
✅ Use “fewer” with countable plural nouns
❗ Don’t confuse with “less,” which is for uncountable.

🔸 “MORE…THAN” / “LESS…THAN” / “FEWER…THAN”
Structure    Example
more + noun/adjective + than    This hotel has more rooms than the other one.
less + noun/adjective + than    This test is less difficult than the last one.
fewer + noun + than    We had fewer problems than expected.

🔹 COMMON EXPRESSIONS
Phrase    Example
more and more    More and more people are working remotely.
less and less    She has less and less free time.
no more / no fewer than    We had no more than five minutes. / No fewer than ten guests came.

🧠 QUICK REFERENCE TABLE
Function    Countable Nouns    Uncountable Nouns    Adjectives
More    more students    more time    more difficult
Less    (not used)    less money    less important
Fewer    fewer emails    (not used)    —

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
I have less friends now.    I have fewer friends now.    “Friends” = countable
She made less mistakes.    She made fewer mistakes.    “Mistakes” = countable
He has fewer water.    He has less water.    “Water” = uncountable
This one is more cheap.    This one is cheaper.    Don’t use “more” with short adjectives

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Laura: There are fewer people here than last year.
Ben: Yeah, but they’re spending more money.
Laura: That’s true. I also noticed there’s less noise today.
Ben: Probably because we hired more security.
Laura: Definitely worth it. The whole event feels more organized.

15.4 TOO, ENOUGH, SO, SUCH
Objective:
To correctly use too, enough, so, and such to express quantity, intensity, or evaluation, and to understand how they modify adjectives, nouns, and sentences.

🔹 “TOO” – MORE THAN NECESSARY OR DESIRED (NEGATIVE MEANING)
Structure    Example
too + adjective    It’s too cold to swim.
too + adjective + to verb    He’s too tired to work.
too much / too many + noun    There’s too much noise. / Too many people are waiting.
✅ “Too” often implies a problem or excess.

🔸 “ENOUGH” – THE RIGHT AMOUNT OR LEVEL
Structure    Example
adjective + enough    She’s tall enough to play basketball.
enough + noun    We don’t have enough time.
enough + noun + to verb    Do we have enough money to buy it?
✅ “Enough” can come before a noun or after an adjective.

🔹 “SO” – VERY, TO A GREAT DEGREE (INTENSIFIER)
Structure    Example
so + adjective    The movie was so funny!
so + adverb    She sings so beautifully.
so + adjective + that…    It was so hot that we stayed inside.
✅ Use “so” to intensify a quality or feeling.

🔸 “SUCH” – LIKE “SO” BUT USED WITH NOUNS
Structure    Example
such + adjective + noun    It was such a beautiful day.
such + noun    She’s such a genius!
such + (adjective) + noun + that…    It was such a difficult test that many students failed.
✅ “Such” goes before nouns, unlike “so” which is used before adjectives/adverbs.

🔹 SUMMARY COMPARISON
Word    Use With    Example
too    adjective / much / many    Too hot / too much sugar / too many people
enough    adjective / noun    Warm enough / enough food
so    adjective / adverb    So tired / so quickly
such    adjective + noun    Such a great idea / such noise

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
too + adjective + to verb → Too cold to go outside
adjective + enough + to verb → Old enough to vote
so + adjective + that → So big that it broke
such + adjective + noun + that → Such a mess that we had to leave

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
He is too much tired.    He is too tired.    “Too much” doesn’t go before adjectives
She is enough smart.    She is smart enough.    “Enough” goes after adjective
It was so a good book.    It was such a good book.    Use “such” with noun
I didn’t have enough big suitcase.    I didn’t have a big enough suitcase.    Use correct adjective + enough order

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Liam: It’s too late to go out, don’t you think?
Irene: Maybe, but I’m not tired enough to sleep yet.
Liam: That concert was so amazing!
Irene: I know! Such energy in the crowd—I loved it.
Liam: We should go again. But next time, let’s get there early. Too many people arrived late.

15.5 QUANTIFIERS: MANY, MUCH, A LOT OF, A FEW, A LITTLE
Objective:
To use quantifiers correctly with countable and uncountable nouns to express quantity, including positive, negative, and interrogative contexts.

🔹 “MANY” – COUNTABLE NOUNS (QUESTIONS AND NEGATIVES)
Use    Example
many + plural noun    Do you have many friends?
    There aren’t many apples left.
✅ Use with things you can count: books, people, ideas, cars.
🔸 “MUCH” – UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS (FORMAL, QUESTIONS, NEGATIVES)
Use    Example
much + uncountable noun    How much sugar do you take in your coffee?
    There isn’t much time left.
✅ Use with things you cannot count individually: water, money, information, advice.
🔹 “A LOT OF / LOTS OF” – BOTH COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE (INFORMAL/POSITIVE)
Use    Example
a lot of + plural noun    She has a lot of friends.
a lot of + uncountable noun    There’s a lot of noise in here.
lots of (informal)    We’ve got lots of time.
✅ More natural in positive sentences.
🔸 “A FEW” VS. “A LITTLE” – SMALL AMOUNTS
Quantifier    Use With    Meaning    Example
a few    Countable nouns    Small number (positive)    I have a few ideas.
a little    Uncountable nouns    Small amount (positive)    We need a little sugar.
✅ Both express some, not none
🔹 “FEW” VS. “LITTLE” – NEGATIVE TONE
Quantifier    Use With    Meaning    Example
few    Countable nouns    Not many (negative)    Few people came to the meeting.
little    Uncountable nouns    Not much (negative)    There’s little hope left.
✅ Without “a”, both become negative in tone.

🧠 SUMMARY CHART
Quantifier    Countable Nouns    Uncountable Nouns    Tone
many    ✔    ✘    neutral
much    ✘    ✔    formal
a lot of    ✔    ✔    informal/positive
a few    ✔    ✘    positive
few    ✔    ✘    negative
a little    ✘    ✔    positive
little    ✘    ✔    negative

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
There are much people here.    There are many people here.    “People” is countable
I have a few money.    I have a little money.    “Money” is uncountable
There is few time.    There is little time.    Use “little” with uncountable nouns
He gave me a few advice.    He gave me a little advice.    “Advice” is uncountable

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Nico: How many people are coming to dinner?
Jade: Just a few—maybe four or five.
Nico: Do we have enough food?
Jade: I think so. We have a lot of rice and a little chicken left.
Nico: Great. I’ll grab a few drinks from the store just in case.

15.6 TALKING ABOUT PREFERENCES
Objective:
To express likes, dislikes, and preferences using verbs and structures such as prefer, would rather, like…better, and enjoy, including how to compare choices politely and clearly.

🔹 EXPRESSING PREFERENCES
Expression    Example
I prefer + noun/verb-ing    I prefer coffee to tea. / I prefer walking.
I’d rather + base verb    I’d rather stay home tonight.
I like + noun/verb-ing    I like pizza. / I like reading.
I like…better (than…)    I like spring better than summer.
I enjoy + verb-ing    I enjoy listening to podcasts.
✅ Use prefer and would rather to talk about choices
✅ Use like / enjoy to talk about general habits or tastes

🔸 COMPARING PREFERENCES
Structure    Example
prefer A to B    I prefer cats to dogs.
would rather + base verb + than…    I’d rather watch a movie than go out.
like + noun + better than + noun    She likes tennis better than football.
✅ These structures help you clearly express a choice between two things

🔹 MAKING POLITE PREFERENCES
Structure    Example
I’d prefer to + base verb    I’d prefer to leave early, if that’s okay.
I would rather not + verb    I’d rather not talk about it now.
I think I’d prefer…    I think I’d prefer something lighter.
✅ These soften the statement and make it more diplomatic or respectful

🔸 EXPRESSING STRONG LIKES OR DISLIKES
Expression    Example
absolutely love    I absolutely love spicy food.
really enjoy    I really enjoy hiking.
can’t stand    I can’t stand loud music.
don’t like at all    I don’t like horror movies at all.
✅ Combine with intensifiers (really, absolutely, totally) or negatives for emphasis

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
I prefer [noun/verb-ing] to [noun/verb-ing]
I’d rather + base verb + than + base verb
I like [noun/verb-ing] better than [noun/verb-ing]
I enjoy + verb-ing
I’d prefer to + base verb

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
I prefer go to the cinema.    I prefer going to the cinema. / prefer to go    Use verb-ing or to + verb
I’d rather to stay here.    I’d rather stay here.    No “to” after “rather”
I like better coffee than tea.    I like coffee better than tea.    Word order
She enjoys to swim.    She enjoys swimming.    “Enjoy” is followed by verb-ing

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Victor: Do you want to eat out tonight?
Sophie: I’d rather cook at home. I prefer homemade food.
Victor: Fair enough. I enjoy cooking too. What about pizza?
Sophie: Sounds perfect. I like pizza better than pasta anyway.
Victor: Same here. Let’s do it!

15.7 EXPRESSING OPINIONS AND DEGREES
Objective:
To express opinions, personal views, and degrees of intensity using adjectives, adverbs, and structures such as I think, in my opinion, quite, really, absolutely, etc.

🔹 EXPRESSING BASIC OPINIONS
Structure    Example
I think + clause    I think it’s a great idea.
In my opinion…    In my opinion, the film was too long.
I believe / I feel that…    I believe she’s the best candidate.
Personally, I…    Personally, I prefer quiet cafés.
✅ These are useful in both spoken and written English, formal or informal.

🔸 AGREEING AND DISAGREEING
Expression    Use Example
I agree / I totally agree    I totally agree with you.
That’s true / good point    That’s true—it was a bit slow.
I see what you mean, but…    I see what you mean, but I enjoyed it.
I’m not sure I agree    I’m not sure I agree with that.
I don’t think so    I don’t think that’s the case.
✅ Use soft disagreement to keep conversations respectful.

🔹 EXPRESSING DEGREES AND INTENSITY
Adverb    Use With    Example
really    adjectives/verbs    I really like this place.
quite    adjectives/adverbs (UK)    It’s quite interesting.
very    adjectives/adverbs    She’s very talented.
absolutely    strong adjectives    That’s absolutely amazing!
extremely    adjectives    He’s extremely fast.
not very    adjectives    I’m not very hungry right now.
✅ These modify how strong the opinion or feeling is.

🔸 POSITIVE VS. NEGATIVE OPINIONS
Tone    Expressions
Positive    It’s great. / I love it. / It works well.
Neutral    It’s okay. / Not bad. / It’s average.
Negative    I didn’t like it. / It was boring. / It doesn’t work.

🧠 COMMON SENTENCE PATTERNS
I think + sentence → I think he’s right.
In my opinion, + sentence → In my opinion, it was too expensive.
Subject + adverb + adjective → The movie was really good.
I + adverb + verb → I completely agree.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
I think is good.    I think it’s good.    Subject “it” is missing
She very likes it.    She really likes it.    Use “really” to intensify verbs
Is quite boring.    It is quite boring.    Missing subject “it”
In my opinion is not correct.    In my opinion, it’s not correct.    Sentence needs full structure

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Marcos: What did you think of the concert?
Dana: I thought it was amazing. The guitarist was absolutely incredible.
Marcos: I agree. The sound was really clear too.
Dana: The only thing is—I think the last song was too long.
Marcos: Yeah, I see what you mean. But overall, I really enjoyed it.

15.8 CONTRAST CONNECTORS: HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH, BUT
Objective:
To use contrast connectors like however, although, and but to show opposition or contrast between two ideas in both spoken and written English.

🔹 “BUT” – COORDINATING CONJUNCTION (INFORMAL, COMMON)
Use    Example
Join two contrasting ideas    I like the restaurant, but it’s expensive.
Used in middle of sentence    He’s very friendly, but he talks too much.
✅ “But” is commonly used in both speech and informal writing.

🔸 “HOWEVER” – MORE FORMAL CONTRAST
Use    Example
Usually starts a new sentence    The hotel was nice. However, the service was poor.
Comes after a semicolon    We arrived early; however, the meeting had already started.
✅ “However” is more formal and often used in writing or structured speech.

🔹 “ALTHOUGH” / “THOUGH” – SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Use    Example
Start or join two clauses    Although it was raining, we went out.
Can appear mid-sentence    We went out although it was raining.
“Though” = informal equivalent    I liked it, though it was a bit long.
✅ “Although” is more flexible and can go at the start or middle of a sentence.
✅ “Though” is more casual and conversational.

🔸 COMPARISON TABLE
Connector    Position    Style    Example
but    mid-sentence    informal    I called, but no one answered.
however    start or mid    formal    However, I disagree with your point.
although    start or mid    neutral    Although he’s rich, he’s not happy.
though    mid or end    informal    It was tasty. A bit salty, though.

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
[Main idea], but [contrasting idea]
[Main idea]. However, [contrasting idea].
Although [idea], [opposite idea]
[Idea], though.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
Although it was late, but we stayed.    Although it was late, we stayed.    Don’t use both “although” and “but”
However I was tired, I kept working.    However, I was tired, I kept working.    Use comma and correct position
I like it although it’s expensive.    ✔ Correct    This structure is fine
Though he is tired, but he continues.    Though he is tired, he continues.    No “but” with “though”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Leo: Did you enjoy the movie?
Isla: Yes, although I thought it was too long.
Leo: I agree. The story was good, but the pacing was slow.
Isla: The ending was great, though.
Leo: True! However, I’m not sure I’d watch it again.

15.9 UNIT 15 REVIEW
Objective:
To review and consolidate all the structures and vocabulary used to express comparisons, preferences, quantities, and opinions in real-life communication.

📘 WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THIS UNIT
🔹 COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
taller, more interesting, the best, the most expensive
Rules for short adjectives (-er, -est) vs. long adjectives (more, most)
Irregular forms: good → better → the best

🔹 EQUALITY STRUCTURES: “AS…AS”, “NOT AS…AS”
She’s as tall as her brother.
This isn’t as easy as I expected.
Add modifiers: almost as fast, just as effective

🔹 USING “MORE”, “LESS”, “FEWER”
more people, less time, fewer mistakes
“fewer” = countable / “less” = uncountable
This phone has more features than the cheaper one.

🔹 INTENSIFIERS AND MODIFIERS
too cold, enough money, so fast, such a great movie
Used for strengthening or weakening a description

🔹 QUANTIFIERS
many, much, a lot of, a few, a little
Countable vs. uncountable:
→ few books, little water, a lot of noise

🔹 EXPRESSING PREFERENCES
I prefer tea to coffee.
I’d rather stay home than go out.
I like this one better.

🔹 EXPRESSING OPINIONS AND DEGREES
I think it’s great.
She’s very talented. / That’s absolutely amazing.
Agreeing and disagreeing politely:
→ I see your point, but…

🔹 CONTRAST CONNECTORS
but, although, however, though
It’s expensive, but I love it.
Although it rained, we went hiking.

🔹 LISTENING PRACTICE WITH COMPARISONS
Focused on identifying comparisons and preferences in dialogue
Responding with opinions and alternatives
Real-life decision-making: shopping, travel, restaurants

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Carlos: This sofa is more comfortable, but it’s more expensive too.
Lena: True, but it’s also better made. The other one is cheaper, but not as sturdy.
Carlos: I think I’d rather pay more for quality.
Lena: I agree. It’s probably the best choice overall.