(MEDP) - Gramática: Comparisons Lesson

Gramática: Los Mandatos

Unequal Comparisons

In English, we typically add "- er" to an adjective and combine it with the word "than" to make unequal comparisons.

Example: My cat is smaller than my dog.

In Spanish, however, we can't just add "- er" to an adjective. Instead, we need to use the word  más  in front of our adjective. And instead of "than" we use que.

So our Spanish formula looks like this:

El estudiante es más inteligente que su maestro.The student is smarter than his teacher.

So our Spanish formula looks like this:

But we don't need to limit ourselves to adjectives. We can apply this formula to adverbs and nouns as well:

Más + adverb + que.
Más + noun +que.

Adverb example:

Alberto trabaja más rápidamente que Ramón. Alberto works more quickly than Ramón.

Noun example:

Isabel tiene más dinero que Óscar. Isabel has more money than Óscar.

We can also use a similar construction to make unequal comparisons based on verbs:

Verb example:

Paulo estudia más que Jorge. Paulo studies more than Jorge.

This video will help you understand comparisons. As always, be prepared to take notes and press pause when needed.

Equal Comparisons with Adjectives, Adverbs, and Nouns

When making equal comparisons in English we use the formula "as" + adjective/adverb /noun or verb + "as."

Example: My cat is as big as my dog.

In Spanish, the formulas are a little different:

Adjective example:

Juana es tan alta como Rigoberta. Juana is as tall as Rigoberta.

Adverb formula & example:

Noun formula & example:

Anto + noun + como. Isabel tiene tanto dinero como Óscar.

Verb formula & example:

Verb + tanto como. Paulo estudia tanto como Jorge. Paulo studies as much as Jorge.

Comparisons Review Activities

Please complete the following self-check quiz.

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