Grammar﹕Making comparisons

[2018.12.12] 發表

【明報專訊】The Smarties are organising a Christmas party and discussing what to do on Christmas Eve. Let's find out what they are going to do!

Dr Panda: I've booked the party room at S Club. I've compared a few venues and S Club is the cheapest one. They also have a more comfortable sofa for us to chill.

Pat: Great! I can make some party food with my mom and bring it to the party. My mom's turkey roll is the most delicious one I have ever had!

Bill: Great! I start to miss it now you have mentioned it! By the way, can I invite my cousin as well?

MoMo: Sure, the more the merrier! Have we met her before?

Bill: I don't think so, she is getting busier now as she is preparing for her concert for the countdown to 2019, but she said she wants to hang out with me on Christmas Eve.

Pat: Could it be possible that your cousin is NaNa, who won the talent reality show last year? Oh! I can't be more excited!

◆The comparative

When we compare two things, or one thing with another, we use the comparative to talk about the difference. The word "than" follows the adjective and comes before the other party being compared with.

e.g. I am older than my sister.

Sam is more obedient than Tommy.

◆The superlative

When something has the highest degree of a quality, we use superlative adjectives. The definite article "the" is used before the adjective.

e.g. She is the youn gest child in her family.

This solution is the most practical of all the suggestions.

◆Know more

For adjectives with one syllable or two (e.g. old, cheap), we usually use -er/-est; for adjectives with three syllables or above (e.g. obedient, practical), more / most are usually used. However, for some two-syllable adjectives, more/ most can also be used.

e.g. I think my brother is the most handsome guy in our school.

■Now you try

Help Pat complete her invitation letter to her friend Nicholas. Use the suitable form of the adjectives.

expensive / great / large / popular

Dear Nicholas,

We are having our Christmas party on 24 December evening at the S Club this year and we'd like you to join us again! As you may remember, last year we didn't have enough space so we choose a (1) ___________ venue this year! However, we will make our own food instead of ordering because the set dinner is (2)__________ last year.

We will invite NaNa to be our performing guest and she is (3) __________ singer now. She happens to be Bill's cousin and we are all excited!

Can you please see if your sister can come too? I promise this will be (4)__________ party we have ever had!

Love, Pat

■Glossary

chill (v) 放鬆

merry (adj) 愉快的

countdown (n) 倒數

hang out with (sb) (v phr) 與(某人)一起(活動)

[Smarties' Power English 第233期]