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CONTENTS
Comparing Things
In everyday life we often find two different things or objects. Sometimes it is necessary
to describe two things / objects in order to clarify the difference. Well, here are examples
of dialogue about comparing things in English. Please click the play button to hear the
correct pronunciation.
(B): Sammy. He’s the fastest. But Timmy is the most handsome. (Sammy.
If you have any question regarding this topic, don’t be hesitate to write it below as a
comment. (material adapted from: eslgold)
http://letspeakenglish.info/2010/07/21/comparing-things-membandingkan-sesuatu/
2. You can make a negative comparison using ‘not as… as…’ or ‘not so… as…’.
3.You can use the adverbs ‘almost’, ‘just’, ‘nearly’, or ‘quite’ in front of ‘as… as…’.
In a negative comparison, you can use ‘not nearly’ or ‘notquite’ before ‘as… as…’.
4. When you want to say that one thing is very similar to something else, you can use ‘the
same as’ followed by a noun group, an adverbial, or a clause.
If people or things are very similar or identical, you can also say that they are ‘the same’.
Teenage fashions are the same all over the world. The initial stage of learning English is
the same for many students.
You can use some adverbs in front of ‘the same as’ or‘the same’.
You can use ‘the same’ in front of a noun group, with or without ‘as’ after the noun
group.
5. You can also compare people or things by using a link verb such as ‘be’, ‘feel’, ‘look’,
or ‘seem’ and a phrase beginning with ‘like’.
Of all his children, she was the one most like me.
6. If the noun group after ‘as’ or ‘like’ in any of these structures is a pronoun, you use an
object pronoun or possessive pronoun.
7. You can also use ‘less’ and ‘least’ to make comparisons with the opposite meaning to
‘more’ and ‘most’.
2
Man: Yes, madam, can I help you?
Woman: Yes, I bought these from here two days ago and the heel`s broken. Can you
change them?
Man: Oh dear. I`m so sorry. I`ll just see if we got another pair for you.
3
Father: Turn that wretched music down, will you? Or better still, turn it off.
Child: Oh, all right.
4
Woman: I think we need an advertising campaign on television and in the press. I really
want to push this project. John, would you mind looking after the television. Is that all
right?
Man: Mmm, fine. Er… when shall we start?
5
Man: Anita, will you come here a minute? Could you tell me the file on sales in France? I
just need to check on delivery arrangements. Oh, and Anita I`d love a cup of coffee if
that`s at all possible.
Woman: Oh yes, Mr James.
6
Man: I`m awfully sorry to bother you. I`m sure people are always asking you this as
you`re always standing here, but you wouldn`t have change for a pound, would you? It`s
for the phone box.
Man: Here you are.
Man: Thanks a lot.