Chapter 4-2-3: Using “than” or “as” in a Comparison
"Than" or "as"
1. Use than when comparing two things that are not equal. Use than after the adjective.
Example
Jerry is more interesting than Terri.
2. Use as when comparing things that are equal. The structure is as...as.
The adjective or adverb will be in between as and as.
Example
Jerry is as interesting as Terri.
3. Use not as when comparing things that are not equal. The structure is not as...as.
Example
Jerry is not as interesting as Terri.
4. Use as much as when comparing quantities and uncountable nouns.
The structure as much... as is used when uncountable nouns are equal.
Not as much...as when uncountable nouns are not equal.
The uncountable noun will be in between much and as.
Example
Terri has as much experience as Jerry. (equal)
Terri does not have as much experience as Jerry. (not equal)
5. Use as many as when comparing quantities and countable nouns. The structure As many... as is used when countable nouns are equal.
Not as much...as when countable nouns are not equal.
The uncountable noun will be in between many and as.
Example
Terri does as many tasks as Jerry a day.
Jerry does not do as many tasks as Terri a day.
Elliptical Comparisons
In elliptical comparisons, where the writer has left some words out of a sentence, the case of the pronoun at the end of the sentence determines its meaning. When a sentence ends with a subjective pronoun, the pronoun must serve as the subject of the omitted verb. When a sentence ends with an objective pronoun, the pronoun must serve as the object of the omitted verb:
Elliptical
Ruth likes Jerry better than I.
Complete
Ruth likes Jerry better than I like Jerry.
Elliptical
Ruth likes Jerry better than me.
Complete
Ruth likes Jerry better than she likes me.
Elliptical
Ruth likes chocolate better than him he.
Complete
Ruth likes chocolate better than he likes chocolate.
Elliptical
Terri exercises as much as her she.
Complete
Terri exercises as much as she exercises.
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