This chapter deepens three areas introduced at beginner level: comparison structures, quantifier subtleties, and the article system at intermediate level.

Advanced comparison structures

Modifying comparatives

Grade the size of a difference:

  • Big difference:

  • Small difference:

  • No difference:

  • Multiples:

Other patterns

  • :

  • :

  • with superlatives:

  • :

  • :

  • — in careful usage, is absolute; prefer or .

  • (BrE) — prefer (safe everywhere); is acceptable BrE; is common AmE, especially before clauses.

  • Comparing likes with likes: \(\to\)

Quantifiers in depth

  • : (= the entire day)

  • with singular countables: ( is unidiomatic)

  • for generalization; for one-by-one focus; only can be used of two:

  • + singular verb, but

(singular verb is more formal). Correlatives: :

, , ,

  • Generalizing: (no ).

  • Specific set: \(\to\)

  • + noun; + noun phrase:

  • after adjectives/adverbs, before nouns:

  • : Note is negative; do not use it for emphasis: \(\to\)

  • : — with result clauses:

Articles at intermediate level

Generic statements

Three grammatical ways to generalize:

  1. : (most natural)

  2. : (formal, species as a class)

  3. : (any example of the class)

Institutions, media, and set phrases

  • with media and services: — but .

  • with musical instruments: (AmE also ).

  • Fixed pairs without articles: .

  • + adjective = a class of people: (+ plural verb).

Exercises

Comparison structures Rewrite keeping the meaning, using the words in brackets.

  1. As we climbed higher, breathing became more difficult. (The …the)

  2. This hotel is much cheaper than that one. (nowhere near)

  3. I have never read a more moving novel. (This is…)

  4. Her flat is double the size of mine. (twice)

Quantifiers Choose the correct option.

  1. (Every / Each) of the twins has a different hobby.

  2. I spent the (all / whole) weekend marking essays.

  3. (Most / Most of) students found the course useful.

  4. There were (so / such) many complaints that the product was withdrawn.

  5. The coffee was (too / so) hot that I couldn’t drink it.

Articles Insert , , or — (nothing) where needed.

  1. unemployed often face

    discrimination.

  2. She plays

    violin and her brother plays

    drums.

  3. whale is

    largest mammal on

    Earth.

  4. We watched

    television all evening, then listened to

    radio.