Comparatives

20 words

1. 1

   twice/three times as + adjective + as + nounstructure

   Say that X is two or three times greater/larger/more than Y.

   “City A has twice as many residents as City B.”

2. 2

   S + V, whereas + S + Vstructure

   Used to contrast two clauses or situations; links two independent clauses showing difference.

   “Many students prefer studying at night, whereas others find mornings more productive.”

3. 3

   not only + clause, but also + clausestructure

   A correlative construction that emphasises that two facts are true; it often highlights the second point for emphasis.

   “Not only did the policy reduce emissions, but it also created new green jobs.”

4. 4

   differ from + noun/gerundstructure

   To show that two things are not the same; normally followed by 'from'.

   “This study's findings differ from previous research in methodology.”

5. 5

   X surpasses Y in + noun/gerundverb phrase

   Say that X is better than Y in a particular area or measure.

   “The new algorithm surpasses the old one in both speed and accuracy.”

6. 6

   no less than + number/nounphrase

   Emphasise a surprisingly large number or amount; meaning 'as many as' or 'at least that many'.

   “The charity raised no less than $50,000 in a single week.”

7. 7

   rank(s) higher than + noun/phrasestructure

   Indicate that X is placed above Y in an ordered list or ranking.

   “In the global index, Country A ranks higher than Country B in education.”

8. 8

   be distinguished from + noun/gerund by + noun/phrasestructure

   Used to state the features or criteria that separate one thing from another; common in formal descriptions and analyses.

   “The subspecies is distinguished from related types by its longer tail feathers.”

9. 9

   S outperforms O in/at + noun/gerundverb phrase

   Say that someone or something does better than someone/something else in a specific area or task.

   “This year's cohort outperformed previous cohorts in final exam results.”

10. 10

    It took me + khoảng thời gian + to Vphrase

    Say how long someone needed to do something (usually past).

    “It took me two years to get used to living alone.”

11. 11

    to a greater extent than + noun/clausestructure

    Used to compare degree or magnitude, indicating that something applies more strongly to one thing than another.

    “Technology affects younger generations to a greater extent than older ones.”

12. 12

    X outweighs Yverb phrase

    To be greater or more important than something else (usually used of advantages vs disadvantages).

    “For many people, the benefits of technology outweigh the drawbacks.”

13. 13

    There is a (clear/striking) contrast between + A + and + Bgrammar (comparative frame)

    Used to emphasize a clear difference between two things, ideas, or situations.

    “There is a striking contrast between urban and rural lifestyles.”

14. 14

    not so much + A + as + Bgrammar (comparative frame)

    Used to say that something is more B than A; similar to 'not A but B'.

    “The problem is not so much the cost as the lack of planning.”

15. 15

    be better off than + noun/phrasestructure

    To indicate that someone or something is in a more favourable situation (often financially or circumstantially) compared to another.

    “Families with two incomes are often better off than single-income households.”

16. 16

    It takes + O + longer + to V1 + than + to V2phrase

    Compare durations: one activity needs more time than another.

    “It takes students longer to finish laboratory work than to read a chapter.”

17. 17

    on par with + nounprepositional phrase

    At the same level or standard as something else; equal to.

    “Local healthcare services are now on par with those in bigger cities.”

18. 18

    be comparable to + nounadjective + preposition

    To be able to be compared with something else because they are similar in some ways.

    “Housing prices in this city are comparable to those in the capital.”

19. 19

    X falls short of Yverb phrase

    Say that X does not reach a standard or is less than Y; it fails to meet expectations.

    “The country's health policy falls short of international standards.”

20. 20

    ___ pales in comparison to ___idiom (comparative frame)

    Used to say that something is much less important, impressive, or good when compared with something else.

    “His earlier work pales in comparison to his latest novel.”