57 Comparative Clauses: As … as

Advertising

Introduction

Comparisons with adjectives and adverbs are used to compare things, people or actions, expressing the equalities or inequalities between them.

The comparative of equality (as…as clause) is used for the same purpose.

{see Comparisons with Adjectives and Adverbs, A1 level}

Form

We usually find the structure of the comparative of equality (as…as clause) in its three forms.

Affirmative forms:
Subject + verb + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …
Subject + verb + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …

Negative forms:
Subject + verb + not + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …
Subject + verb + not + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …

Interrogative forms:
Verb + subject + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …?
Verb + subject + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …?

Example

  1. Identical things
    • This box of biscuits is as big as mine.
    • This restaurant makes food as good as my mum’s.
  2. Different things
    • A kilo of potatoes is not as expensive as a kilo of steaks.
    • Her mountain boots are not as cheap as his backpack.
  3. Asking information about equality/inequality
    • Is this box of biscuits as big as mine?
    • Do I have champagne as cold as yours?

Use

We use the comparative of equality (as…as clause) to:

  1. Talk about identical things (affirmative);
  2. Talk about different things (negative);
  3. Ask information about equality/inequality of different things (interrogative).

Summary

The comparative of equality (or the as…as clause) is used to highlight the equality or inequality between two things, people or actions.

  • Affirmative:
    Subject + verb + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …
    Subject + verb + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …
  • Negative:
    Subject + verb + not + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …
    Subject + verb + not + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …
  • Interrogative:
    Verb + subject + as + adjective/adverb + as + object + …?
    Verb + subject + as + adjective/adverb + noun + as + object + …?

For example:
— Affirmative: “My doll is as lovely as yours.”
— Negative: “My doll is not as lovely as yours.”
— Interrogative: “Is my doll as lovely as yours?

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.

Exercises


The exercises are not created yet. If you would like to get involve with their creation, be a contributor.



Ambassadors

Open TextBooks are collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone and everywhere.

Become an Ambassador and write your textbooks.

Online Teaching

Become a Books4Languages Online tutor & teacher.

More information here about how to be a tutor.

Translations


Contributors

The Books4Languages is a collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone, everywhere.

License