Comparative adjectives

Part 2: The patterns of comparative adjectives

Comparative adjectives have the following patterns:

Pattern 1: the ADJ-COMPAR

Pattern 2: the ADJ-COMPAR of pl-n

Pattern 3: ADJ-COMPAR than n/-ing

Pattern 4: ADJ-COMPAR than cl

Pattern 5: ADJ-COMPAR than adv

Pattern 6: ADJ-COMPAR than adj/-ed

Pattern 7: ADJ-COMPAR than prep

Pattern 8: ADJ-COMPAR than adj/-ed n

Pattern 9: ADJ-COMPAR n than n

Pattern 10: ADJ-COMPAR n than prep

Pattern 11: ADJ-COMPAR n than cl

Pattern 12: the ADJ-COMPAR n, the ADJ-COMPAR n

Pattern 13: the ADJ-COMPAR, the ADJ-COMPAR

We include here only those patterns which are dependent on the comparative form of the adjective. Comparative adjectives also have the patterns that other adjective forms have. For example, a comparative adjective may be found in the pattern ADJ n.

Most fathers' involvement tends to include play, rather than the more arduous tasks of washing clothes and feeding.

The origins of their disagreement can be traced to their personalities: two more different individuals would be difficult to find.

The elder girl, about 21, was married, but her husband had disappeared.

It may be found in the pattern v-link ADJ.

Sea salt is more acceptable and should be used in preference to table salt.

Using the tip of a knife, or your finger nail, whichever is easier, nick the skin open on each almond and squeeze the nut out.

Many comparative adjectives are followed by prepositional phrases, or a to-infinitive clause, for example, which are patterns of the adjective itself.

Graduates have become more aware of environmental issues, like the general public.

His successor will be much more difficult to deal with.

When the comparative adjective is followed by a noun, the noun may be followed by a prepositional phrase or a clause that is the pattern of the noun.

I have a collection of relaxation tapes which take you through the various methods of relieving tension. For some people the use of a more active form of relaxation is most beneficial.

The officials have adopted a friendlier attitude toward tourism.

We do not consider these to be patterns of comparative adjectives.Except in Patterns 1 and 2, comparative adjectives can be modified by grading adverbs. The following grading adverbs are typically used with comparatives. The ones marked with an asterisk (*) are not used when the comparative comes before a noun.

a bit*

a good deal*

a great deal*

a little*

a lot*

considerably

far

heaps*

infinitely

much

slightly

vastly

very much

Pattern 1: the ADJ-COMPAR Pattern 2: the ADJ-COMPAR of pl-n Pattern 3: ADJ-COMPAR than n/-ing Pattern 4: ADJ-COMPAR than cl Pattern 5: ADJ-COMPAR than adv Pattern 6: ADJ-COMPAR than adj/-ed Pattern 7: ADJ-COMPAR than prep Pattern 8: ADJ-COMPAR than adj/-ed n Pattern 9: ADJ-COMPAR n than n Pattern 10: ADJ-COMPAR n than prep Pattern 11: ADJ-COMPAR n than cl Pattern 12: the ADJ-COMPAR n, the ADJ-COMPAR n Pattern 13: the ADJ-COMPAR, the ADJ-COMPAR

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