We can use adjectives for equal and unequal comparisons in everyday conversations to describe whether people or objects have similar characteristics or not. Equal adjectives are used when two things are equally similar in terms of a characteristic, whereas unequal adjectives are used when the two things are different in regard to a certain aspect.
Use adjectives with “as __ as” to compare equal things
When two things are equal in a certain aspect, we can use the structure “as + [adjective] + as” to show this.
For example:
- Dave is as old as Dan.
- Dave is as tall as Dan.
- Dave is as handsome as Dan. They are twins.
Use “not as / less __ than” to compare unequal things
When two things are unequal in some way, we can use the opposite structure “not as + [adjective]” or the quantifier “less + [adjective] + than” to describe this difference.
For example:
- Paris is not as big as Moscow.
- Paris is less big than Moscow.
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“Not as / Less __ than” can have the same meaning as using comparative adjectives
For example:
- The mouse is not as loud as the lion.
- The mouse is less loud than the lion.
- The lion is louder than the mouse.
- The mouse is quieter than the lion.
Summary of adjectives for equal and unequal comparisons
Try this online exercise to test what you have learned about using adjectives for equal and unequal comparison.
This article was written by Break Into English’s blog contributor Ilaria Marazzina.
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Using Adverbs in English
Comparatives and superlatives
