Comparative Phrases

Read the text.

 Anna: Do you want to go to the cinema and then have dinner tonight?

Louise: Yeah, good idea.  I’d like to watch something funny.

Anna: How about “Dance Chimp 2” or “Super Fishman”?

Louise: I heard "Super Fishman" is not as funny as "Dance Chimp 2".

Anna: OK, But "Dance Chimp 2" is nowhere near as popular as "Super Fishman".

Louise: Yes, but being popular doesn’t mean it’s good!

Anna: That’s true.  Anyway, "Super Fishman" finishes at 11.30.

Louise: Yeah, that’s too late to have dinner.

Anna:  OK, so "Dance Chimp" at 7.00?

Louise: Great!  Where shall we eat?  Let’s go somewhere near the cinema.  I don’t want to walk far.

Anna: Gorgio’s?

Louise:  No, that’s  not close enough. It’ll take an hour to walk there!

Anna: How about a Big Bear Burger?

Louise: Good idea!  OK, so I’ll meet you outside the cinema at 6.45.  OK?

Anna: Cool. See you there!

Meaning - Summary

Comparing qualities and needs

Structure 1 – using "not ... enough" 

1. ​It wasn't scary​ enough. 
2. You're not rich​ enough to buy a Ferrari. 
3. They're not old​ enough to go to night clubs. 
4. He's not good​ enough at football to play for Barcelona. 

Structure 2 – using "too" 

1. It's too late​ to get another drink. 
2. I'm too poor​ to buy a Ferrari. 
3. She's too young​ to go to night clubs. 
4. They're too bad​ at football to play for Barcelona. 

Comparing qualities and needs 

Structure 1 is used to show that someone (or something) has less of a positive quality​ than is needed or wanted. 

Structure 2 is used to show that someone (or something) has more of a negative quality​ than is needed or wanted. 

Negative comparisons between two things 

Structure 3 – using "not as ... as" 

1. The story of "Space Killer 2​" story is not as good​ as that of "Monkey Sock​".
2. Belgium​ is not as big​ as France​. 
3. Bicycles​ are not as fast​ as cars​. 
4. Pizza​ is not as healthy​ as salad​. 

Structure 4 – using "nowhere near as ... as" 

1. It's nowhere near​ as good​ as "Space Killer 1​". 
2. Luxembourg​ is nowhere near​ as big​ as Russia​. 
3. Sugar​ is nowhere near​ as expensive​ as gold​. 
4. Mice​ are nowhere near​ as dangerous​ as lions​. 

Negative comparisons between two things 

Both structures 3 and 4 are used to show that the first thing​ has less of a quality​ than the second thing​.

The phrase "nowhere near​" (in structure 4) emphasises that there is a significant difference between the two things. 

Use the examples to identify the grammar rules and complete the sentences. 

Examples: Was it scary enough? • It's too late​ to get another drink. • Belgium​ is not as big​ as France​. • Luxembourg​ is nowhere near​ as big​ as Russia​. 

1. Grammar rule: We can/cannot change "is" or "was" to any other form of "be".
2. Grammar rule: In all these structures, we use the  superlative/base/comparative form of the adjective.
3. Grammar rule: In sentence 2, after the adjective, we use the present simple form/base form (with to)/ past simple form  of the verb. 

Form - Summary

​Comparing quality and need | Structure 1

It was not scary​ enough. 

Structure 1 form | Statements

subject be           not         adjective              enough

It             was        not         scary      enough.

They      were      not         fast         enough.

I               am          not         tall          enough.

Structure 1 form | Questions

be           subject not         adjective              enough

Was       it             not         scary      enough?

Wasn't it (contracted form)          scary      enough?

Aren't you (contracted form)       hot         enough?

​Comparing quality and need | Structure 2

 It's too late to get another drink.

 

Structure 2 form | Statements

subject be           too         adjective

verb (base form + "to")

It             is             too         late         to get another drink.

They      are          too         young   to watch that film.

I               am          too         tired       to come out.

Structure 2 form | Questions

be           subject too         adjective              verb (base form + "to")

Is             it             too         late         to get another drink?

Aren't    they       too         young   to watch that film?

Am         I               good      enough to play for your team?

Comparing 2 things | Structure 3

Belgium​ is not as big​ as France​.

 

Structure 3 form | Statements

subject be           not as    adjective              as            object

I               am          not as    tall          as            you.

Belgium                is             not as    big          as            France.

Their cars             are          not as    fast         as            mine.

Comparing 2 things | Structure 4

Luxembourg​ is nowhere near​ as big​ as Russia​.

 

Structure 4 form | Statements

subject be           nowhere near as               adjective              as            object.

Luxembourg       is             nowhere near as               big          as            Russia.

I               am          nowhere near as               rich         as            a film star.

These handmade bags   are          nowhere near as               expensive            as            Gucci handbags.

 

Use the words indicated to write each sentence in the present tense. You may need to add extra words.

 Write the sentence:

1. (your/popcorn/enough/hot)?
2. (we/too late/see the film)
3. (watching television/not fun/visiting the cinema)
4. (going to the cinema/nowhere near/popular/used to/be)