Comparisons and Degrees of Change

Learning goals

In this lesson, you will learn how academic writers compare people, places, results and trends. You will practise comparative structures, expressions of degree, and patterns used to describe change accurately.

Step 1 — Read and discover

Read the passage. Notice the bold comparison structures and expressions that show the size or direction of change.

Do greener streets make a difference?

A city research team compared two neighbourhoods after a year-long street improvement project. The first area received more trees, wider pavements and safer cycle lanes. The second area changed very little. By the end of the year, the improved neighbourhood had significantly lower summer surface temperatures than the comparison area. Residents also reported more frequent walking trips and a slightly higher level of satisfaction with local streets.

The researchers found that streets with more tree cover were generally cooler than streets with fewer trees. However, the relationship was less clear in areas with heavy traffic. Noise levels were almost as high in some improved streets as they had been before the project, partly because traffic volume did not fall.

The results also showed that the greater the amount of shade, the lower the average surface temperature. This pattern was strongest during the hottest part of the day. By contrast, the number of local shops showed little change over the year. The team concluded that street design can improve comfort, although its effects vary according to local conditions.

The study covered only two neighbourhoods, so the researchers recommended a larger comparison over a longer period. This would help planners identify which improvements are most effective.

Check your understanding

1. Which area had lower summer surface temperatures?Try again

A. The neighbourhood with street improvementsB. The neighbourhood that changed very littleC. Both areas had identical temperatures

1. Which area had lower summer surface temperatures?

✓

2. Why did noise levels remain high in some improved streets?Try again

A. There were fewer treesB. Traffic volume did not fallC. The pavements were wider

2. Why did noise levels remain high in some improved streets?

✓

3. What did the researchers recommend?Try again

A. Stopping all street improvement projectsB. Studying more neighbourhoods for a longer periodC. Measuring only the number of shops

3. What did the researchers recommend?

✓

Step 2 — Understand the grammar

Comparisons do more than say that one thing is different from another. They can show the size of a difference, indicate similarity, or describe how two changes are connected.

1. Comparative adjectives and adverbs

Use -er + than with many short adjectives (lower than, faster than) and more/less + adjective + than with many longer adjectives (more effective than, less reliable than). Use adverbs to compare actions: The second group responded more quickly than the first group.

2. Expressions of degree

Words such as slightly, considerably, significantly, much, and far can show how large a difference is: The second figure was considerably higher than the first. Choose a degree expression that matches the evidence; do not use significantly simply to mean “important” if you mean a large numerical difference.

3. Similarity and equality

Use as + adjective/adverb + as to say two things are equal in a particular way: The new route is almost as long as the old one. Use not as … as to express a difference: The second sample was not as large as the first.

4. The more …, the more/less …

This pattern shows that one change is connected to another: The more regularly people used the service, the more confident they became. Both parts usually use a comparative form.

5. Describing change

Use phrases such as a slight increase, a considerable decline, little change, and a gradual improvement. After increase, decrease, rise, and fall, use in for the thing that changes (an increase in costs) and by for the amount of change (costs increased by 10%).

Grammar cards

comparative

nounB1–B2

A form used to compare two things.

“The second route is shorter than the first.”

shorter than
more effective than

Word family: compare, comparison, comparative

degree expression

nounB1–B2

A word or phrase showing the size of a difference.

“The figure was considerably higher.”

slightly higher
significantly lower

Word family: degree, express

slightly

adverbB1–B2

By a small amount.

“Costs rose slightly during the year.”

slightly higher
slightly lower

Word family: slight, slightness

significantly

adverbB1–B2

By an important or noticeable amount; in statistics, according to a significance test.

“Scores were significantly higher in the second group.”

significantly higher
significantly lower

Word family: significant, significance

considerably

adverbB1–B2

By a fairly large amount.

“The new route is considerably shorter.”

considerably shorter
considerably higher

Word family: considerable, consider

as ... as

structureB1–B2

A structure used to say two things are equal in a particular way.

“The new system is as reliable as the old one.”

as reliable as
almost as large as

Word family: equal, equality

not as ... as

structureB1–B2

A structure used to say one thing has less of a quality than another.

“The second sample was not as large as the first.”

not as large as
not as reliable as

Word family: less, comparison

the more ... the more

structureB1–B2

A pattern showing that one change is connected to another change.

“The more people practised, the more confident they became.”

the more ... the more
the longer ... the clearer

Word family: more, comparative

increase

noun/verbB1–B2

A rise in number, amount or level.

“There was an increase in participation.”

increase in costs
increase by 10%

Word family: increasing, increased

decrease

noun/verbB1–B2

A fall in number, amount or level.

“Researchers noted a decrease in waiting time.”

decrease in demand
decrease by 5%

Word family: decreasing, decreased

rise

noun/verbB1–B2

An upward change in amount, level or number.

“There was a rise in energy use.”

rise in prices
rise by 4%

Word family: rising, rose

fall

noun/verbB1–B2

A downward change in amount, level or number.

“The report recorded a fall in costs.”

fall in demand
fall by 7%

Word family: falling, fell

by

prepositionB1–B2

Used before the amount of a change.

“The rate increased by 12%.”

increase by 12%
fall by two points

Word family: amount, change

in

prepositionB1–B2

Used to name what changes after nouns such as increase or decrease.

“There was a decrease in waiting time.”

increase in costs
decrease in waste

Word family: increase, decrease

gradual

adjectiveB1–B2

Happening slowly over a period of time.

“The area experienced a gradual improvement.”

gradual increase
gradual decline

Word family: gradually, gradualness

consistent

adjectiveB1–B2

Remaining similar or steady across situations or times.

“The results were consistent across both groups.”

consistent results
less consistent than

Word family: consistently, consistency

effective

adjectiveB1–B2

Producing the intended result.

“The new approach was more effective.”

effective method
most effective

Word family: effectively, effectiveness, effect

efficiently

adverbB1–B2

In a way that avoids wasting time or resources.

“The third group completed the task efficiently.”

work efficiently
operate efficiently

Word family: efficient, efficiency

little change

phraseB1–B2

A very small or almost unnoticeable difference.

“The number of shops showed little change.”

show little change
little change over time

Word family: change, unchanged

larger comparison

noun phraseB1–B2

A comparison involving more cases, groups or examples.

“The team recommended a larger comparison.”

larger comparison
longer period

Word family: large, largely, enlarge

Step 3 — Choose the correct meaning

Choose the best answer, then check your choices.

Step 4 — Complete the sentences

Type the missing word or phrase. More than one answer may be accepted when it fits the sentence.

1.The second route was considerably than the first. (short)Try again✓

2.The new method was not reliable as the original method.Try again✓

3.The number of visitors increased 12% over the summer.Try again✓

4.Researchers observed a gradual in water use.Try again✓

5.The more carefully the data were checked, the the conclusions became. (clear)Try again✓

6.The final sample was almost as as the first one. (large)Try again✓

7.There was a slight decrease the average waiting time.Try again✓

8.The third group completed the task more than the other groups. (efficient)Try again✓

Step 5 — Choose the correct form

Choose the best correction or answer.

Step 6 — Match the sentence beginnings and endings

Match each beginning with the best ending.

1. The more frequently the service was used, ...Try again

1. ✓

2. Costs increased by ...Try again

2. ✓

3. The second sample was not as large ...Try again

3. ✓

4. There was a slight decrease ...Try again

4. ✓

5. The new route was considerably shorter ...Try again

5. ✓

Step 7 — Quick review

Choose the best answer for each question.