Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more)
Sharpen a comparative with a modifier: much, far and a lot show a big gap; a bit, a little and slightly show a small one. For parallel change use the ... the ...: The more you practise, the better you get.
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Level: B2. You already know bigger and more expensive. Now you will say how much bigger, link two changes together, and avoid the classic double-comparative trap.
The rule
A comparative compares two things: short adjectives add -er (bigger, faster), longer ones take more (more useful, more expensive). A modifier is a word placed in front of the comparative to show the size of the gap. Big-gap modifiers include much, far, a lot, considerably and significantly: “This phone is much cheaper.” Small-gap modifiers include a bit, a little, slightly and somewhat: “She is slightly older than me.”
Two more modifiers are useful. Even means more than the thing already mentioned: “Today is hot; tomorrow will be even hotter.” No (or not any) means zero difference: “This one is no better than that one.”
Be careful with very. You can say very big, but not “very bigger.” Before a comparative, use much, far or a lot, not very: “much better,” never “very better.”
The double comparative links two changes that rise or fall together: the + comparative …, the + comparative …. Both halves need a comparative: “The more you practise, the better you get.” Each half can hold an adjective (the older), an adverb (the faster), or more + a noun (the more time). Finally, you can repeat a comparative to show a gradual trend: “Prices are getting higher and higher,” “It became more and more difficult.”
Forms
| Modifier | Size of gap | Example |
|---|---|---|
| much / far / a lot | big difference | much cheaper, far more useful |
| considerably / significantly | big (formal) | considerably faster |
| a bit / a little / slightly / somewhat | small difference | slightly older |
| even | more than already mentioned | even hotter today |
| no / not any | zero difference | no better than before |
| Linked-change pattern | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| double comparative | the + comparative …, the + comparative … | The more, the merrier. |
| repeated comparative | comparative and comparative | more and more expensive |
Example sentences
- This laptop is much cheaper than that one.much + comparative for a big gap.
- The new road is far faster than the old one.far signals a large difference.
- Her second book is a lot better than her first.a lot is informal but common.
- The exam was considerably harder this year.considerably: a big gap, more formal.
- House prices are significantly higher in the capital.significantly for a marked, formal difference.
- He is slightly taller than his brother.slightly + comparative for a small gap.
- I feel a bit better today, thanks.a bit softens the comparison.
- This route is a little longer but much safer.a little (small) and much (big) in one sentence.
- It was hot yesterday, but today is even hotter.even = more than already mentioned.
- This model is no better than the cheaper one.no + comparative = zero difference.
- The test was not any easier than last time.not any + comparative = no difference.
- The more you practise, the better you get.Double comparative linking two changes.
- The harder she tried, the worse it became.the + comparative in both halves.
- The more money you spend, the less you save.the more + noun paired with the less + noun.
- The sooner we leave, the sooner we arrive.A parallel-change sentence with adverbs.
- The city is getting bigger and bigger every year.Repeated comparative for a gradual trend.
- The queue grew longer and longer.A gradual increase shown by repetition.
- Learning a language becomes more and more rewarding.more and more with a longer adjective.
- The weather is far more unpredictable than before.far + more + long adjective.
- This phone is slightly more expensive but much lighter.Two different modifiers compared.
- The more I think about it, the less sure I am.Both halves use the + comparative.
- Our profits are growing, though much more slowly now.much + more + adverb (slowly).
Common mistakes
- ❌ This book is more better than that one. → ✅ This book is much better than that one. Never put more before a comparative; better is already comparative. Use a modifier like much or far.
- ❌ The second test was more easier. → ✅ The second test was much easier. Easier is the comparative of easy; don’t add more.
- ❌ This car is very faster than mine. → ✅ This car is much faster than mine. Before a comparative, use much / far / a lot, not very.
- ❌ More you eat, more you want. → ✅ The more you eat, the more you want. Each half of the paired pattern needs the + a comparative.
- ❌ The harder you work, you earn more. → ✅ The harder you work, the more you earn. Both halves follow the + comparative, not a normal clause in the second half.
- ❌ Prices are getting high and higher. → ✅ Prices are getting higher and higher. Repeat the same comparative form on both sides.
A short conversation
A: Is the new flat any bigger than the old one? B: It’s far bigger — and much brighter too. A: Nice. Was it a lot more expensive? B: Only slightly. And the closer we are to work, the less we spend on travel.
Usage notes
- much / far / a lot, not very. These three are the everyday big-gap modifiers before a comparative. A lot is the most informal; considerably and significantly suit formal writing.
- even. Even + comparative pushes beyond a point already made: “The first match was tough; the second was even tougher.”
- no / not any. Both say the gap is zero: “no better,” “not any cheaper.” They are common in reviews and comparisons.
- the … the … The paired pattern can drop the verb when the meaning is obvious: “The more, the merrier,” “The sooner, the better.”
- repeated comparative. Bigger and bigger, more and more tired shows a steady, continuing change over time.
Compared with…
- Basic comparatives cover the core forms: short adjective + -er, long adjective + more, and irregulars (good → better, bad → worse). This lesson adds the modifiers and patterns on top. See Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive).
- as … as compares things that are equal or, with not, shows a gap without a comparative: “not as cheap as” means the same as “more expensive than.” See As … as Comparisons.
- C1 comparative structures go further — the + comparative as a noun phrase, all the better, none the wiser — for when you want an even finer touch. See Comparatives at C1.
- Superlatives compare three or more and pick the top or bottom (the biggest, the most useful); comparatives stay between two. See Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most).
Quick recap before you practise.
Practice
Advanced comparatives practice
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
Hint: the + comparative
Show answer
The more — Each half of the paired pattern starts with 'the' + a comparative: The more ... the better.
4 Put the words in order to make a double comparative.
Show answer
The sooner we leave , the sooner we arrive — the + comparative in both halves: The sooner we leave, the sooner we arrive.
5 Match each modifier to its meaning.
- much / far
- slightly / a bit
- even
- no / not any
Show answer
- much / far → a big difference
- slightly / a bit → a small difference
- even → more than already said
- no / not any → zero difference
Modifiers tell you how big the gap between the two things is.
Hint: repeat the comparative
Show answer
longer and longer — Repeat the same comparative for a steady change: longer and longer.
Quiz
Advanced comparatives quiz
12 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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My new bike is far faster. — Use far (or much / a lot) before a comparative; 'more faster' and 'very faster' are wrong.
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slightly — slightly marks a small gap; much, far and a lot mark a big one.
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The more — Each half of the paired pattern uses 'the' + a comparative: The more ... the less.
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Today is even hotter. — even + comparative pushes past a point already made: even hotter.
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This is more worse than before. — 'worse' is already comparative; don't add 'more'. Use much, far or a lot.
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There is no difference in quality. — no + comparative states zero difference between the two.
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significantly — significantly is a big-gap modifier (formal); 'very higher' and 'more higher' are wrong.
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The city is getting bigger and bigger. — Repeat the same comparative for a steady change: bigger and bigger.
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the worse — The second half also needs 'the' + a comparative: the worse.
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much — 'easier' is already comparative, so use a modifier such as much, far or a lot — never 'more easier'.
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very cheap — 'very' goes with a plain adjective (very cheap); before a comparative use much/far/a lot.
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The more you read, the more you learn. — Both halves need 'the' + a comparative: The more ... the more.
Recap cheat-sheet
| Tool | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| big gap | much / far / a lot + comparative | much cheaper |
| small gap | a bit / a little / slightly + comparative | slightly older |
| beyond a point | even + comparative | even hotter |
| zero gap | no / not any + comparative | no better |
| linked change | the + comparative …, the + comparative … | the more, the better |
| gradual trend | comparative and comparative | higher and higher |
Next
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All English grammar topics
Every grammar point in order, from your first sentence to advanced structures. Pick one and go straight to it. New lessons go live every day, so topics marked Coming soon fill in over the next weeks.
Grammar path
A1 30 topics · 30 ready
- 01 Verb 'To Be' in the Present (am, is, are)
- 02 Subject Pronouns: I, You, He, She, It, We, They
- 03 Present Simple: Affirmative and the -s Ending
- 04 Present Simple: Negatives and Questions (do/does)
- 05 Articles: a / an and When to Use Each
- 06 The Definite Article 'The': When to Use It
- 07 Zero Article: When to Use No Article
- 08 Plural Nouns: Regular and Irregular Forms
- 09 This, That, These, Those (Demonstratives)
- 10 Possessive Adjectives: my, your, his, her
- 11 Possessive 's and s' (Showing Belonging)
- 12 There Is / There Are (Saying What Exists)
- 13 Have Got: Talking About Possession
- 14 Can and Can't for Ability
- 15 Present Continuous (am/is/are + -ing)
- 16 Imperatives: Giving Orders and Instructions
- 17 Adjectives: Position and Basic Use
- 18 Prepositions of Place: in, on, at
- 19 Prepositions of Time: in, on, at
- 20 Question Words: What, Where, When, Who, Why, How
- 21 How Much vs How Many
- 22 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
- 23 Some and Any: Which One to Use
- 24 Object Pronouns: me, you, him, her, us, them
- 25 Adverbs of Frequency and Their Position
- 26 Like, Love, Hate + -ing (Expressing Preferences)
- 27 Would Like: Polite Wants and Offers
- 28 Making Requests: Can, Could, May I
- 29 Past Simple of 'To Be' (was / were)
- 30 Let's and Shall We: Making Suggestions
A2 25 topics · 25 ready
- 31 Past Simple: Regular Verbs and -ed Spelling
- 32 Past Simple: Irregular Verbs (go, see, have)
- 33 Past Simple: Negatives and Questions (did)
- 34 Comparative Adjectives (bigger, more expensive)
- 35 Superlative Adjectives (the biggest, the most)
- 36 Going To: Plans and Predictions
- 37 Will: Predictions, Decisions and Offers
- 38 Present Continuous for Future Arrangements
- 39 Present Perfect for Experience (ever / never)
- 40 Present Perfect with just, already, yet
- 41 Present Perfect vs Past Simple
- 42 Have To and Don't Have To (Obligation)
- 43 Should and Shouldn't for Advice
- 44 Could: Past Ability and Polite Use
- 45 Much, Many, A Lot Of
- 46 A Few, A Little, Few, Little
- 47 Adverbs of Manner (quickly, well, hard)
- 48 Verb + -ing or Verb + to (Introduction)
- 49 Zero Conditional (Facts and Rules)
- 50 First Conditional (Real Future Possibility)
- 51 Prepositions of Movement (to, into, through)
- 52 Possessive Pronouns: mine, yours, hers
- 53 Past Continuous (was/were + -ing)
- 54 Too and Enough (Degree)
- 55 Order of Adjectives Before a Noun
B1 27 topics · 27 ready
- 56 Past Continuous vs Past Simple
- 57 Used To and Would for Past Habits
- 58 Present Perfect Continuous (have been -ing)
- 59 Present Perfect: Simple vs Continuous
- 60 Past Perfect (had + past participle)
- 61 Second Conditional (Unreal Present/Future)
- 62 Third Conditional (Unreal Past)
- 63 Reported Speech: Statements (Backshift)
- 64 Reported Questions
- 65 Reported Commands and Requests
- 66 Passive Voice: Present and Past Simple
- 67 Must and Mustn't (Strong Obligation)
- 68 May, Might, Could for Possibility
- 69 Defining Relative Clauses (who, which, that)
- 70 Non-Defining Relative Clauses (with commas)
- 71 Gerunds and Infinitives: Full Verb Patterns
- 72 Verbs Where -ing vs to Changes Meaning
- 73 Future Continuous (will be -ing)
- 74 So and Such (Emphasis)
- 75 As...As Comparisons (equality)
- 76 Question Tags (isn't it? do you?)
- 77 Phrasal Verbs: Separable and Inseparable
- 78 Linking Words: because, so, although, but
- 79 Infinitive of Purpose (to / in order to)
- 80 Indirect Questions (Can you tell me...)
- 81 Make, Let, Allow, Help (Causatives Intro)
- 82 Be Used To and Get Used To (+ -ing)
B2 25 topics · 25 ready
- 83 Narrative Tenses for Storytelling
- 84 Past Perfect Continuous (had been -ing)
- 85 Mixed Conditionals
- 86 Wish and If Only (Regrets and Wishes)
- 87 Wish/If Only + would (Complaints)
- 88 Passive Voice: All Tenses and Modals
- 89 Reporting Passive (It is said that / is said to)
- 90 Causative: Have/Get Something Done
- 91 Reduced Relative Clauses (Participles)
- 92 Modals of Deduction: Present and Past
- 93 Needn't Have vs Didn't Need To
- 94 Future Perfect (will have done)
- 95 Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / having done)
- 96 Advanced Comparatives (far/much + er, the more) You are here
- 97 Conditional Alternatives: unless, as long as, provided
- 98 Advanced Determiners: each, every, either, neither
- 99 Intensifiers and Adverbs of Degree
- 100 Advanced Contrast: despite, in spite of, however
- 101 Advanced Linkers: therefore, moreover, consequently
- 102 Advanced Article Use (generalisations, names)
- 103 Verb + Preposition and Adjective + Preposition
- 104 Relative Clauses: whose, where, when, quantifier + whom
- 105 Subject-Verb Agreement: Tricky Cases
- 106 Emphatic Do (I do like it)
- 107 Would for Past Habits (Formal Narrative)
C1 18 topics · 18 ready
- 108 Inversion with Negative Adverbials
- 109 Inversion in Conditionals (Had I known)
- 110 Cleft Sentences (It was... / What I need is...)
- 111 Fronting and Emphasis (Word Order)
- 112 Subjunctive and Mandative (I suggest he be)
- 113 Ellipsis and Substitution (so, do, one)
- 114 Hedging and Cautious Language
- 115 Nominalisation (Academic Noun Style)
- 116 Advanced Discourse Markers (Spoken & Written)
- 117 Advanced Passive (passive + infinitive, get-passive)
- 118 Advanced Comparative Structures (no sooner...than)
- 119 Future in the Past (was going to / would)
- 120 Advanced Modals (may well, might as well, would rather)
- 121 Advanced Reported Speech (Reporting Verbs + Patterns)
- 122 Advanced and Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
- 123 Collocation and Colligation (Natural Combinations)
- 124 Advanced Concession (much as, whatever, however + adj)
- 125 Absolute and Non-Finite Clauses (Formal)