Comparative structures: Modifying comparatives — Explanation

B2 Exercises on changing comparatives with answers and explanations. Practice tests aimed at improving English grammar with clear examples.

Modifying Comparatives Exercises

Comparative Structures are important in English because they allow us to compare differences between two or more things. At B2 level learners should be able to use basic comparatives (e.g. bigger, more interesting) but also adapt them to express degrees of difference more accurately.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to change comparatives, when to use them, and how to not screw up.

What Are Modifying Comparatives?

A modifying comparative is a comparative adjective or adverb modified by another word or phrase that intensifies or diminishes it.

Basic comparison:

• This book is more interesting than that one.

Modified comparative:

• This book is much more interesting than that one.

The word “much” modifies the comparative to show a bigger difference.

Common Modifiers for Comparatives

At B2 level you are expected to know a range of modifiers that can be used to change the strength of a comparison.

Strong Modifiers (Show a big difference)

Use these if the difference is obvious or large.

• much
• far
• a lot
• way

Examples:

• This exam is much harder than the last one.
• She is far more experienced than her colleague.
• This phone is a lot better than my old one.
• The new version is way faster than the previous one.

Moderate Modifiers

These show a marked, but not extreme, difference:

• slightly
• a bit
• a little

Examples:

• This task is slightly easier than I expected.
• He feels a bit better today.
• The second option is a little more expensive.

Approximation Modifiers

Used when the difference is small or approximate:

• somewhat
• rather

Examples:

• The movie was somewhat better than the book.
• This solution is rather more complicated than necessary.

Using “Even” for Emphasis

Even. ‘Even’ stresses an increase in difference, often in surprising situations.

Examples:

• This problem is even more difficult than the last one.
• She became even more successful after moving abroad.

Double Comparatives (Increasing Change)

We use structures like:

• more and more + adjective
• -er and -er

These indicate that there is always a change taking place.

Examples:

• The weather is getting warmer and warmer.
• English is becoming more and more important worldwide.

The + Comparative, The + Comparative

This structure demonstrates cause and effect relationships.

Structure:

• The + comparative, the + comparative

Examples:

• The harder you work, the better your results will be.
• The more you practice, the more confident you become.

Using Comparatives with Nouns

Comparatives can also be used to modify nouns:

Structure:

• more/fewer/less + noun

Modifiers can also be added here:

Examples:

• We need much more time to finish this project.
• There are far fewer students this year.
• He has a lot more experience than me.

Practical Advice

• When you must make clear comparisons, use strong modifiers in formal writing.
• In polite or cautious communication, use softer modifiers.
• Don’t overdo the modifiers; sometimes a simple comparative will suffice.
• Watch the context – some modifiers (such as way) are more informal.