B2 level exercises and explanations to help you practice changing comparatives. Enhance accuracy by using structured tasks and real sentence examples.
Modifying Comparatives Exercises
We use comparatives when we talk about differences between two people, things or situations. At B2 level, you are not only expected to form comparatives correctly, but also to modify them to add emphasis, precision or nuance.
This guide will tell you how to change comparatives, when to use them and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Are Modifying Comparatives?
A modifying comparative is a comparative adjective or adverb that is intensified, weakened, or refined with an additional word or phrase.
Basic comparative:
- This exam is harder than the last one.
Modified comparative:
- This exam is much harder than the last one.
the comparative “harder” is modified by “much”
Common comparative modifiers
Strong Modifiers (to make large differences clear)
Use these if the difference is large or noticeable:
- much
- far
- a lot
- significantly
- considerably
Examples:
- This task is much easier than I expected.
- Her new job is far better than the previous one.
- The second option is a lot more expensive.
- The results are significantly higher this year.
Moderate Modifiers
These show a large but not dramatic difference:
- slightly
- a bit
- a little
- somewhat
Examples:
- This version is slightly faster.
- I feel a bit more confident now.
- The movie was somewhat better than the book.
Exact Modifiers (for precise differences)
Use these to give exact measurements or numbers:
- two times / three times / twice / half
- X percent / X years / X meters, etc.
Examples:
- This car is twice as fast as the old one.
- The new model is 20% more efficient.
- He is three years older than me.
Using “Even” for Emphasis
Often “even” is placed before a comparative to show surprise or a greater degree of contrast.
Examples:
- This exercise is even more difficult than the last one.
- The situation became even worse after the meeting.
Double Comparatives
Sometimes we use two comparatives to say that something is changing all the time.
Structure:
the + comparative, the + comparative
Examples:
- The more you practice, the better you become.
- The faster we work, the sooner we finish.
This is a very common structure in English, spoken and written.
Less and Fewer with Modifiers
You can also change less and less:
Examples:
- We have much less time than before.
- There are far fewer options available now.
- She made slightly fewer mistakes this time.
“As…As” with Modifiers
You can also use modifiers with as…as constructions:
Examples:
- This phone is almost as good as the latest model.
- The test was nearly as difficult as I expected.
- He is just as talented as his brother.
