GRAMMARB1Comparisons Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

B1 Comparatives, Superlatives, Too & EnoughB1 Comparatives, Superlatives, Too & Enough

Learn to compare people, places and things accurately using -er / more, the -est / the most, as…as, too and enough — with irregular forms, Italian learner traps and Cambridge-style practice.Impara a confrontare persone, luoghi e cose con precisione usando -er / more, the -est / the most, as…as, too ed enough — con forme irregolari, trappole tipiche per studenti italiani e pratica in stile Cambridge.

taller thanmore usefulthe bestas fast astoo expensivewarm enough

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1. See comparisons in context1. Guarda i confronti nel contesto

My new flat is bigger than my old one, and the kitchen is much brighter. It is also more convenient because it is closer to work. However, it is too expensive for me to live there alone. The second bedroom is large enough for a flatmate, so sharing may be the best solution. Il mio nuovo appartamento è più grande del precedente e la cucina è molto più luminosa. È anche più comodo perché è più vicino al lavoro. Tuttavia, è troppo costoso perché io possa viverci da solo. La seconda camera è abbastanza grande per un coinquilino, quindi condividere potrebbe essere la soluzione migliore.
What is each structure doing?A cosa serve ogni struttura?

bigger than: comparative with a short adjective.

much brighter: much makes the difference stronger.

more convenient: comparative with a longer adjective.

too expensive: more expensive than is acceptable or possible.

large enough: sufficiently large.

the best: irregular superlative of good.

2. The B1 comparison map2. La mappa dei confronti B1

Core idea:Idea centrale:

Choose the structure according to the length of the adjective and the meaning you want: difference, maximum degree, equality, excess or sufficiency.Scegli la struttura in base alla lunghezza dell’aggettivo e al significato che vuoi esprimere: differenza, grado massimo, uguaglianza, eccesso o sufficienza.

Short comparative adjectivesComparativi con aggettivi brevi

adjective + -er + than

Rome is warmer than London.

This bag is lighter than mine.

Italian trap: usa than, non that o of: older than me.

Long comparative adjectivesComparativi con aggettivi lunghi

more / less + adjective + than

The train is more comfortable than the bus.

This option is less expensive.

Italian trap: non usare una doppia forma: more easier ❌. Dì easier.

SuperlativesSuperlativi

the + adjective-est / the most + adjective

February is the shortest month.

It was the most interesting part.

Italian trap: normalmente il superlativo richiede the: the fastest, the most useful.

EqualityUguaglianza

as + adjective + asnot as / so + adjective + as

My room is as large as yours.

The test was not as difficult as I expected.

Italian trap: l’aggettivo resta alla forma base: as tall as, non as taller as.
Spelling to remember:Ortografia da ricordare:
  • nice → nicer → the nicest: elimina la seconda e.
  • big → bigger → the biggest: raddoppia la consonante finale.
  • happy → happier → the happiest: y diventa i.
  • good → better → the best.
  • bad → worse → the worst.
  • far → farther/further → the farthest/furthest.

3. Stronger and smaller differences3. Differenze più grandi o più piccole

At B1, do not only say that something is better. Show how large the difference is.A livello B1, non limitarti a dire che qualcosa è migliore. Indica quanto è grande la differenza.

Large differenceGrande differenza

much / far / a lot + comparative

The new phone is much faster.

Flying is far more expensive.

Nota: non usare very direttamente davanti a un comparativo. Dì much better, non very better.

Small differencePiccola differenza

a bit / a little / slightly + comparative

This room is a little quieter.

Today is slightly colder than yesterday.

Nota: a little cheaper significa soltanto un po’ meno costoso.
NeutralStrongerSmaller difference
This car is faster.This car is much faster.This car is a little faster.
The course is more useful.The course is far more useful.The course is slightly more useful.
The room is cheaper.The room is a lot cheaper.The room is a bit cheaper.

4. Too and enough4. Too ed enough

Too: more than acceptableToo: oltre il limite accettabile

too + adjective / adverb

The coffee is too hot to drink.

He spoke too quickly for me to understand.

Italian trap: too non significa semplicemente “molto”; indica un problema o un limite.

Adjective + enoughAggettivo + enough

adjective + enough + to + verb

She is old enough to drive.

The water is warm enough to swim in.

Italian trap: con l’aggettivo, enough viene dopo: big enough, non enough big.

Enough + nounEnough + nome

enough + noun

We have enough time.

There are enough chairs for everyone.

Ordine: davanti a un nome, enough viene prima: enough money.

Not enoughNon abbastanza

not + adjective + enough / not enough + noun

The room is not large enough.

We do not have enough information.

Contrasto: too small e not big enough possono esprimere un’idea simile.

5. Italian brain vs English brain5. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

IdeaCommon mistakeNatural B1 English
Questo esercizio è più facile.This exercise is more easier.This exercise is easier.
È la città più bella.It is most beautiful city.It is the most beautiful city.
È alto quanto suo fratello.He is as taller as his brother.He is as tall as his brother.
È troppo costoso.It is too much expensive.It is too expensive.
La stanza è abbastanza grande.The room is enough big.The room is big enough.
Abbiamo abbastanza sedie.We have chairs enough.We have enough chairs.

6. Common mistakes6. Errori comuni

❌ My car is more faster than yours.

Do not combine more with an -er comparative.Non combinare more con un comparativo in -er.

✅ My car is faster than yours.
❌ This is the most cheapest hotel.

Use either the cheapest or the least expensive.Usa the cheapest oppure the least expensive.

✅ This is the cheapest hotel.
❌ The box is too heavy that I cannot lift it.

Use too + adjective + to-infinitive in this structure.In questa struttura usa too + aggettivo + infinito.

✅ The box is too heavy to lift.
❌ She is not enough old to drive.

Enough follows an adjective.Enough segue l’aggettivo.

✅ She is not old enough to drive.

7. Concept Check Questions7. Domande di controllo del concetto

1. If a bag is too heavy to carry, can you carry it comfortably?
2. “The water is warm enough to swim in.” Is the temperature sufficient?
3. “Maya is the fastest runner in the class.” How many runners are being considered?
4. “Leo is as tall as Marco.” Who is taller?

8. Quick Check — choose the correct form8. Quick Check — scegli la forma corretta

1. She looks _____ than she did last week.
2. This source is _____ than the other one.
3. That was _____ meal of the holiday.
4. The documentary was _____ the book.
5. Is the shelf _____ to hold these books?

9. Challenge Check — precision and naturalness9. Challenge Check — precisione e naturalezza

1. The new system is _____ more efficient than the old one.
2. It is one of _____ I have ever read.
3. The sea was _____ to swim in, so we stayed on the beach.
4. Leo cannot enter because he is only fifteen.
5. The park is quieter and _____ than the city centre.

10. Write it in English10. Scrivi in inglese

Translate into natural B1 English.Traduci in inglese naturale di livello B1.

1. Questo esercizio è più difficile del precedente.
2. È il ristorante migliore della zona.
3. Il treno non è veloce quanto l’aereo.
4. Questa valigia è troppo pesante da portare.
5. Non abbiamo abbastanza tempo per finire.

11. Cambridge-style transformations11. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge

Rewrite using the word given. Do not change the word.Riscrivi usando la parola data. Non modificare la parola.

1. Use: FAST

My old laptop was slower than this one.

2. Use: HIGHEST

No other building in the town is as high as this one.

3. Use: AS

The blue jacket and the black jacket cost the same.

4. Use: ENOUGH

The room is so small that six people cannot sleep in it.

5. Use: TOO

The coffee is so hot that I cannot drink it.

12. Mini dialogue practice12. Mini dialogo pratico

A: “Which flat should we choose?”

13. Guided writing task13. Writing guidato

Compare two places, products, courses or ways of travelling and recommend one. Use at least six target comparison structures.Confronta due luoghi, prodotti, corsi o modi di viaggiare e consigliarne uno. Usa almeno sei strutture target del confronto.

-er + than
more/less + adjective + than
superlative
as…as / not as…as
comparative modifier
too + adjective
enough structure
Clear recommendation + punctuation + 90+ words
Model answer:

Travelling from Rome to Milan by train is usually more comfortable than travelling by coach. The train is much faster, and the seats are often more spacious. A coach ticket can be a little cheaper, but the journey is much longer and sometimes too tiring for a short weekend trip. Flying is the fastest option, but it is not always as convenient as the train because airports are farther from the city centre. The train also has enough space for luggage and allows passengers to move around. For these reasons, I think the train is the best choice for most travellers.

14. How to use comparisons in real life14. Come usare i confronti nella vita reale

SpeakingSpeaking

Use comparisons to express preferences, justify decisions and describe changes precisely.Usa i confronti per esprimere preferenze, giustificare decisioni e descrivere cambiamenti con precisione.

Example:
The morning class is a little earlier, but it is much less crowded than the evening one.

WritingWriting

Comparatives and superlatives are essential in reviews, reports, emails and recommendations.Comparativi e superlativi sono essenziali in recensioni, report, email e consigli.

Example:
The second proposal is more realistic and offers the best value for money.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation with us and we will help you understand the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a capire il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

15. Final score and report15. Punteggio finale e report

Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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