Comparisons 2

Index

Complete the sentences using the words in bold. Use two to five words. Put in commas where necessary.

1) I have never been to Spain before.
EVER

2) Football isn't so popular in Canada as it is in England.
THAN

3) Stella likes reading books more than playing with other girls.
PREFERS

4) The bracelet was so expensive that she couldn't afford to buy it.
AN

5) I won't be able to do my homework in less than fifteen minutes.
LEAST

6) She'd prefer to stay home rather than go to a boring family party.
RATHER

Answers

ANSWERS 1: FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER | FIRST TIME I'VE EVER
EXPLANATION
IT'S THE FIRST/SECOND/THIRD TIME + PRESENT PERFECT
More Examples:
~~It's the second time she ate lobster.~~ X PAST SIMPLE cannot be used!
It's the second time she has eaten lobster. V PRESENT PERFECT must be used!

ANSWERS 2: LESS POPULAR IN CANADA THAN
EXPLANATION
LESS + POSITIVE DEGREE + THAN
More Examples:
The book was less interesting than I'd expected. V LESS + POSITIVE DEGREE + THAN
She spends less time with the children than her husband does. V LESS + NOUN + THAN

ANSWERS 3: PREFERS READING BOOKS TO
EXPLANATION
PREFER + GERUND + TO + GERUND
More Examples:
~~I prefer watching TV than reading books.~~ X THAN cannot be used after GERUND!
I prefer watching TV to reading books. V PREFER + GERUND + TO + GEUND
He prefers dogs to cats. V PREFER + NOUN + TO + NOUN

ANSWERS 4: SUCH AN EXPENSIVE BRACELET
EXPLANATION
SUCH + (A/AN) + (ADJECTIVE) + NOUN
More Examples:
~~Their car is such beautiful.~~ X SUCH must be followed by a NOUN!
Their car is so beautiful. V SO + ADJECTIVE
They have such a beautiful car. V SUCH + (ADJECTIVE) + NOUN

ANSWERS 5: TAKE ME AT LEAST
EXPLANATION
AT LEAST = NOT LESS THAN
More Examples:
~~I usually spend in the least over five minutes to brush my teeth.~~ X
I usually spend at least over five minutes to brush my teeth. V AT LEAST = NOT LESS THAN

ANSWERS 6: RATHER STAY HOME THAN
EXPLANATION
WOULD RATHER + INVINITIVE + THAN + INFINITIVE => WOULD PREFER + TO + INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + INFINITIVE
More Examples:
~~She would rather to drive than walk.~~ X We do not use TO after WOULD RATHER!
She would rather drive than walk. V WOULD RATHER + INVINITIVE + THAN + INFINITIVE
She would prefer to drive rather than walk. V WOULD PREFER + TO + INFINITIVE + RATHER THAN + INFINITIVE