La partie 5 teste le comparatif et le superlatif sous trois angles : la forme (bigger ou more big), le mot qui l’accompagne (than, the, as) et les renforçateurs (much, far, by far).
La formation
| Adjectif | Comparatif | Superlatif |
|---|---|---|
| Court (1 syllabe) : cheap | cheaper than | the cheapest |
| En -y : easy, busy | easier, busier | the easiest, the busiest |
| Long (2 syllabes ou plus) : efficient | more efficient than | the most efficient |
| Irréguliers : good / bad / far | better / worse / farther, further | the best / the worst / the farthest |
| Infériorité | less expensive than | the least expensive |
Les indices qui donnent la réponse
- than → comparatif : This model is lighter than the previous one.
- the… of / in / among, ou the… ever → superlatif : the best results in the company’s history ; the largest order we have ever received.
- as… as → adjectif simple : The new office is not as large as the old one.
- much, far, a lot, considerably, slightly, even + comparatif : much cheaper, slightly more expensive.
- by far, the very, one of the + superlatif : by far the best offer ; one of the most popular products.
Les structures à connaître
- The earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets are.the + comparatif…, the + comparatif : plus… plus
- Prices are getting higher and higher.comparatif and comparatif : de plus en plus
- This year’s profits are twice as high as last year’s.twice / three times as… as
- Of the two candidates, Ms. Kim is the more experienced.Entre deux éléments, le comparatif suffit en anglais soutenu
Les adverbes
Les adverbes en -ly prennent more et most : Ms. Haddad presented her ideas the most clearly. Les adverbes courts prennent -er : He works harder than anyone, she arrived earlier.
Piège : Jamais de double comparatif : « more cheaper » est faux. Et « much » renforce un comparatif, pas un adjectif simple : « much cheaper » mais « very cheap ».
Piège : further = plus loin, mais aussi supplémentaire : « for further information ». farther ne s’emploie que pour la distance.
À toi de jouer
The new printer is much ------- than the old one. (faster / fast)
Voir la réponse
faster much + comparatif, avec than.
This is the ------- hotel we have ever booked. (most comfortable / more comfortable)
Voir la réponse
most comfortable the… ever : superlatif.
The second quote was not as ------- as the first. (cheap / cheaper)
Voir la réponse
cheap as… as encadre l’adjectif simple.
The ------- the order is placed, the sooner it ships. (earlier / earliest)
Voir la réponse
earlier the + comparatif, the + comparatif.
It is by far the ------- offer we have received. (best / better)
Voir la réponse
best by far + superlatif.