Return
to
Speaking Functions
IELTS Speaking
IELTS Exercises
IELTS Tips
|
IELTS Speaking Function Nine
Making Comparisons in English
To make comparisons when speaking English is quite simple, but you must learn the five patterns below:
1. When you compare two things in English, there are two basic methods. The first is:
"be" + "adjective with -er" + "than", when the adjective is a short word
Example: Bob is taller than Bill.
2. The second way to compare two things is:
"more" + adjective + "than", when the adjective is a short word
Example: This movie is more interesting than that one.
3. If you are comparing three or more things, it is called the superlative form. The first way to make
the superlative, with short words, is:
"the" + "adjective with -est"
Example: Susan is the tallest girl in the class.
4. The second way to make the superlative, with longer words, is this:
"the" + "most" + "adjective"
Example: Joe is the most wonderful teacher I have ever known!
5. If you are comparing things that are equal or very similar:
Use "as" + adjective + "as"
Example: "A is as good as B."
This is the same for big adjectives. For example:
X is as interesting as Y.
Special Note: Most adjectives are done as above. We say tall - taller - tallest or we use
funny - funnier - funniest. There are two common words that are different: "good" and "bad". Instead
of "good - gooder - goodest", we say "good - better - best". For "bad" we say "bad - worse - worst".
These patterns are easy, but you can use them on the IELTS speaking test to show your ability. When you are expressing an
opinion, you can say "I believe M is more useful than N". Or if you are describing something, you can say "My hometown is
bigger than City Z". These patterns help you express more details in English which will help you get a better test score.
|
|