Ch 7 · Lesson 18Spanish · Chapter 7 · Lesson 18 · Grammar primer
Comparatives: más que, tan como
, , : the three frames, , and before a number.
The short version
, , : three frames
Juan Pedro.
Why?Hide
Spanish compares with three frames around the adjective: (taller than), (less tall than) and (as tall as). In a comparison pairs with , never ( ... means 'so ... that'). Before a noun, becomes and agrees with it: .
Put a number in and
.
Why?Hide
Comparisons normally run on : Juan, . The moment a plain number follows, gives way to . euros, . In a positive sentence is a straightforward (no ... means 'only five').
Comparatives at a glance
| Meaning | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| more ... than | + adj. + | taller than me |
| less ... than | + adj. + | cheaper than that |
| as ... as | + adj. + | as tall as you |
| as much/many as | + noun + | as many books as you |
| more than (a number) | + number | more than five |
| better, worse | , | better than the other |
| older, younger | mayor, | older than me |
The three structures
From less to more, each frame wraps the adjective the same way:
- menos alto que
- tan alto como
- más alto que
| Frame | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| more | . | This book is more interesting than that one. |
| less | . | This house is cheaper than the other. |
| the same | . | My car is as fast as yours. |
The adjective agrees with what it describes, as always:
.- Houses are bigger than flats.
The same frames work with adverbs:
.- I run faster than my brother..- He speaks as well as you.
After and , a pronoun is the subject form: , , never .
Comparing nouns and quantities
With a noun, and go in front of it:
.- I have more books than you..- There are fewer people than yesterday.
For "as much" or "as many", becomes , which agrees with the noun:
| Noun | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| masc. singular | | as much money as him |
| fem. singular | | as much patience as you |
| masc. plural | | as many books as you |
| fem. plural | tantas | as many houses as here |
After a verb, never changes: . - I work as much as him.
Before a number: más de
Before a number or amount, becomes :
.- I have more than five euros..- There are fewer than twenty people.
In a negative sentence, ... means "only": . - I' only got ten euros.
Going further: The four irregular comparatives and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
10-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
New words in this lesson
Spanish · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 18 of 25 in this chapter