Comparative Structures

Comparative structures are essential grammatical patterns that allow English speakers to compare different things, actions, qualities, or quantities. These structures help express relationships like similarity, difference, preference, and adequacy between two or more elements.

1. Fewer/less + noun

Used to show there is less of one thing than another:

fewer + count nouns (nouns you can count)
less + non-count nouns (nouns you cannot count)

Examples:

The new project will require fewer resources and less time.
There are fewer students in this class than in last year’s class.
We need less sugar in this recipe.
There was less traffic this morning than usual.

Common mistakes to avoid:

I have less books than my sister.
I have fewer books than my sister.
He has fewer money than before.
He has less money than before.

2. Rather than

Used to show a preference for something:

Comparing nouns/pronouns:

I prefer coffee rather than tea.
She likes swimming rather than running.

Comparing activities (using verbs):

Base form of the verb: I prefer to walk rather than drive.
Verb + -ing: She enjoys reading rather than watching TV.

Using “to” with “prefer”:

“To” can be used instead of “rather than” with “prefer” (but not with other verbs)
I prefer the ocean to deep space.
I prefer to study at home to studying in the library.

Important note:

With other verbs, you must use “rather than” (not “to”)
I want to study Earth rather than Mars.
I want to study Earth to Mars.

3. Verb + more/less (as a pronoun)

Used to compare quantities of knowledge, information, etc.:

Examples:

I know less about Venus than about Mars.
She understands more about climate change than I do.
They learned more from the experiment than expected.
He cares less about the outcome than the process.

4. Adjective + (not) enough + infinitive

Used to compare the degree of actual and required ability:

Examples:

Technology is advanced enough to send people to Mars.
The car isn’t powerful enough to climb that steep hill.
She is skilled enough to perform the surgery alone.
They aren’t experienced enough to lead the project.

Structure:

Subject + be + adjective + enough + infinitive
Subject + be + not + adjective + enough + infinitive

5. A comparative + infinitive

Used to compare actions:

Examples:

It’s easier to use a tablet than (to use) a laptop.
It’s more interesting to study biology than (to study) physics.
It’s cheaper to cook at home than (to eat) in restaurants.
It’s more efficient to travel by train than (to travel) by car.

Note: The second infinitive is often omitted.

6. Ellipsis in comparative structures

You often don’t need to repeat the first subject and verb in the second part:

Examples:

We’re less likely to find life on the moon than (we are to find life) on Mars.
She speaks English better than (she speaks) French.
They enjoy hiking more than (they enjoy) swimming.
I visit my parents more frequently than (I visit) my in-laws.

7. Additional comparative

As…as / Not as…as

Used to express equality or inequality:

Examples:

This book is as interesting as the one I read last week.
The new computer isn’t as expensive as I expected.
Learning grammar is not as difficult as many students think.

The more…, the more…

Used to show how two changing quantities relate to each other:

Examples:

The more you practice, the better you become.
The less sleep I get, the more coffee I need.
The more we study together, the easier the test will be.

Prefer doing X to doing Y

Used to express preference between activities:

Examples:

I prefer reading books to watching movies.
She prefers working from home to commuting to the office.
They prefer traveling by train to flying.