Equal comparison is a basic and commonly used comparison form in English. Whether you're learning English for daily communication or preparing for the IELTS exam, mastering this structure is essential. It allows you to compare things or people that are at the same level or have no significant differences. So how do you form sentences using equal comparison? In this article, IDP IELTS will provide a detailed explanation of equal comparison structures in English.
1. What is Equal Comparison?
Equal comparison is a grammatical structure used to evaluate and compare people, things, or situations that have equal characteristics or qualities. These characteristics typically appear in the form of adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.
Equal comparison is used to express similarities between people, things, or situations.
Examples:
This film is just as thrilling as the one we watched last weekend.
He plays the piano as proficiently as a concert pianist.
2. Equal Comparison Structures in English
Equal comparison is used to express similarities in degree, quantity, or characteristics between different subjects. Depending on what you're comparing, this structure can be applied with adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. Below are the main formulas:
With Adjectives and Adverbs
Affirmative form:
S + V + as + adj/adv + as + noun/pronoun/clause
Negative form:
S + V + not as/so + adj/adv + as + noun/pronoun/clause
Examples:
My hands were as cold as ice.
This flat is not as/so big as our old one.
With Nouns
Affirmative form:
S + V + the same + noun + as + noun/pronoun
Negative form:
S + V + not + the same + noun + as + noun/pronoun
Examples:
Anne’s salary is the same as mine.
My car is not the same color as yours.
Opposite structure: To express differences instead of similarities, use:
S + to be + different from + noun/pronoun
Example:
Online learning is very different from traditional classroom education.
"Times as...as" Structure
To express comparisons involving multiples, use:
S + V + twice (three, four, etc.) + as + adj/adv + as + noun/pronoun/clause
Example:
Petrol is twice as expensive as it was a few years ago.
3. Equal Comparison Exercises in English
Once you've learned the structure, it's important to practice to improve your application in real situations. Below are practice exercises with suggested answers.
Exercise 1: Choose a word from the list to complete each sentence using the “as…as” structure.
Word Bank: expensive, comfortable, fast, long, quietly, soon, well, often, quickly, much, strong, exciting
I don’t earn ______ I’d like.
Oh, don’t sit there. The stool isn’t ______ the armchair.
I didn’t want to wake anybody, so I came in ______ I can.
We can’t do crosswords ______ you do.
I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I got here ______ I could.
We like to keep fit, so we go swimming ______ we can.
It was a difficult question. I answered it ______ I could.
I prefer surfing to swimming. Swimming isn’t ______ surfing.
How long can we stay with you? – You can stay ______ you like.
Why don’t you buy a motorbike? A motorbike isn’t ______ a car.
I need the information quickly, so please let me know ______ possible.
I don’t like these plastic screws. Plastic isn’t ______ metal.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using equal comparison structure.
My morning routine takes longer than my evening routine. → My evening routine is not __________ my morning routine.
Drinking coffee helps me feel more awake than drinking tea. → Drinking tea is not __________ drinking coffee for keeping me awake.
The amount of time I spend on exercise is similar to the amount of time I spend on social media. → I spend __________ amount of time on social media as I do on exercise.
Cooking at home is more affordable than eating at a restaurant. → Eating at a restaurant is not __________ cooking at home.
My friend’s commute to work is shorter than mine. → My commute to work is not __________ my friend’s.
Answer Key:
Exercise 1:
as much as
as comfortable as
as quietly as
as quickly as
as fast as
as often as
as well as
as exciting as
as long as
as expensive as
as soon as
as strong as
Exercise 2:
My evening routine is not as long as my morning routine.
Drinking tea is not as effective as drinking coffee for keeping me awake.
I spend the same amount of time on social media as I do on exercise.
Eating at a restaurant is not as affordable as cooking at home.
My commute to work is not as short as my friend’s.
Master Equal Comparison with IDP
This guide includes essential equal comparison structures and practical exercises with answers. We hope it helps you feel confident applying them in conversation and IELTS preparation.
Not ready for the official IELTS test? Register for a free IELTS mock test at IDP to become familiar with the format and improve time management. Choose between the Academic or General Training version with a convenient computer-based format.
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