Comparatives

20 words

1. 1

   the ratio of + A + to + Bnoun phrase

   a way of expressing the relative size or amount of A compared with B, often written A to B or A:B

   “The ratio of men to women in the department is 3 to 2.”

2. 2

   account for + a larger/greater proportion of + nounphrase (data description)

   to make up a bigger part of a total; used when talking about proportions or shares

   “Older adults account for a larger proportion of the population now than twenty years ago.”

3. 3

   by far + the + superlativestructure

   used to emphasize that something is the strongest or most of its kind by a large margin

   “By far the most students preferred the evening classes.”

4. 4

   while + clausegrammar

   used to link two clauses showing contrast (meaning 'whereas') or duration (meaning 'during'); context determines the meaning.

   “Many students study full-time while others work part-time to support themselves.”

5. 5

   as opposed to + noun/gerund/clausegrammar

   used to contrast two things or ideas; followed by a noun, gerund or clause.

   “Many people choose to work remotely as opposed to commuting every day.”

6. 6

   exceed + B + by + number/percentageverb phrase (data/comparison)

   to be greater than B by a specific amount or percentage

   “The budget exceeded last year's by 12 percent.”

7. 7

   more and more + adjective/nouncấu trúc

   used to describe a trend increasing over time; 'increasingly' is a close alternative.

   “More and more people work remotely these days.”

8. 8

   in terms of + nounphrase (comparative frame)

   used to introduce the particular aspect or area you are comparing between things

   “In terms of cost, electric cars are often cheaper to run than petrol cars.”

9. 9

   rather than + noun/gerund/clausecấu trúc

   used to indicate preference or choice of one thing instead of another; can be followed by noun, gerund, or clause.

   “The university focuses on prevention rather than treatment.”

10. 10

    relative to + nounprepositional phrase (comparative frame)

    in comparison with or in relation to something else; used to put figures or situations in context

    “Unemployment fell by 2% relative to the previous year.”

11. 11

    the difference between + A + and + B + lies in + noun/gerundcấu trúc

    used to state the main difference between two things by emphasising what that difference consists of.

    “The difference between traditional and online courses lies in the level of interaction.”

12. 12

    outnumber + nounverb (comparative)

    to be greater in number than another group

    “Female students outnumber male students in this department.”

13. 13

    so + adjective/adverb + that + clausecấu trúc

    used to emphasise a degree of an adjective or adverb that produces a result; the result clause usually begins with 'that'.

    “The lecture was so long that many students lost concentration.”

14. 14

    such + (a/an) + adjective + noun + that + clausecấu trúc

    used to emphasise a noun phrase (usually with an article) to the extent that a result happens.

    “It was such a difficult exam that half the class failed.”

15. 15

    be superior to + noun/gerundadjective + preposition (comparative)

    to be better than something else in quality, ability, or standard

    “This method is superior to previous approaches in terms of accuracy.”

16. 16

    not + noun/phrase + but + noun/phrasecấu trúc

    used to negate the first element and emphasise the second; it shows that B rather than A is true or important.

    “Not quantity but quality matters in education.”

17. 17

    no + comparative + thanstructure

    used to say that something is not more (e.g. not better, not worse) than something else

    “The new model is no better than the previous one in terms of durability.”

18. 18

    ..., if not + comparativestructure

    used to add emphasis by suggesting that the statement might even be truer at an increased degree (e.g. 'X is good, if not better')

    “This policy is effective, if not more effective, than the previous one.”

19. 19

    bear little resemblance to + nounverb phrase

    to have very few similarities with something else

    “The rebuilt stadium bears little resemblance to the original structure.”

20. 20

    be mistaken for + nounverb phrase

    to be wrongly identified as someone or something else

    “Tourists often mistake our small town for a suburb of the city.”