Comparison (3)

UNIT 99  Comparison (3) - as . . . as/than

A.   Study this example situation:

Joe, Henry, and Arthur are all millionaires They are all very rich. Joe has $10 million, Henry has $6 million, and Arthur has $2 million. So:

Henry is rich.

He is richer than Arthur.

But he isn't as rich as Joe. (= Joe is richer than Henry is)

Here are some more examples of not as . . . as:

• Sue isn't as old as she looks. (= she looks older than she is)

• The shopping center wasn't as crowded this morning as it usually is. it is usually more crowded)

• Jim didn't do as well on his exam as he had hoped. he had hoped to do better)

• "The weather's better today, isn't it?" "Yes, it's not as cold.'' (= yesterday was colder)

• I don't know as many people as you do. (= you know more people)                       

You can also say "not so . . . as" (instead of "not as . . . as'')

• Henry isn't so rich as Joe.

B.    You can also use as . . . as (but not "so as") in positive sentences and in questions

• I'm sorry I'm late. I got here as fast as I could.

• There's plenty of food, so eat as much as you like.

• Let's walk. It's just as quick as taking the bus.

• Can you send me the money as soon as possible, please?

We also say twice as . . . as, three times as . . . as, etc.

• Gasoline is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago.

• Their house is about three times as big as ours

C.   We say the same as (not the same like):

• Ann's salary is the same as mine. (or Ann gets the same salary as me.)

• Tom is the same age as George.

• "What would you like to drink?" "I'll have the same as last time

D.   After than and as it is more usual to say me/him/her/them/us when there is no verb. Compare these sentences:

• You are taller than I am.                             but: You are taller than me.

• They have more money than we have      but They have more money than us.

• I can't run as fast as he can                         but: I can't run as fast as him.