B2 comparatives and superlatives: beyond -er and -est

Q: What comparative structures do you need for B2?

Beyond basic *-er / more* and *-est / most*, you need *as… as* and *not as… as*, modifiers such as *much*, *far* and *slightly*, the double comparative (*the more… the better*), *less* and *fewer*, *twice as… as* and superlatives with *ever*.

Q: What is the difference between less and fewer?

Use *fewer* with plural countable nouns (*fewer cars*, *fewer mistakes*) and *less* with uncountable nouns (*less money*, *less traffic*). In informal speech, many people say *less* for both, but in the exam *fewer* is the correct choice with countable nouns.

Q: How do you say a big difference or a small difference?

For a big difference, put *much*, *far*, *a lot* or *considerably* before the comparative: *far cheaper*. For a small difference, use *slightly*, *a bit* or *a little*: *slightly older*. Don't use *very* with comparatives.

B2 comparatives and superlatives go beyond bigger and the best: you need not as… as, the more… the more, modifiers like far, much and slightly, less and fewer, and fixed patterns such as the best I have ever. They are very common in Use of English Part 4. This guide belongs to our B2 grammar guide.

By Eleanor BennettLast updated: 13 October 2026

Comparing at B2 level

At B1 you can form comparatives and superlatives: cheaper, more expensive, the cheapest, the most expensive. At B2 you need to compare more precisely and in more ways. That means:

Modifying the comparison to show how big the difference is: far / much / a lot / considerably (big difference), slightly / a bit / a little (small difference). This route is slightly longer but far more scenic.
Comparing with as… as: The sequel isn't as funny as the first film. Add nearly, quite or just to adjust: She's just as talented as her sister.
The double comparative: The more you practise, the more confident you'll feel.
Progressive change: It's getting harder and harder to find a cheap flat.
Superlatives with the present perfect: It's the most exciting match I've ever watched.
Less and fewer: less time (uncountable), fewer people (countable).

Comparatives are some of the most common structures in key word transformations, because the same idea can be expressed in many ways: not as… as, -er than, less… than, the… -est. In the open cloze, the missing word is often than, as, the, more or most.

They are also useful in Speaking, where you compare photos in Part 2 and options in Part 3 (This one would be far more practical than…), and in Writing, where an essay often weighs up two choices. Superlatives often go with a defining clause (see relative clauses), and -er than sentences often combine with future forms when you predict change: Cities will be much greener than they are now.

Comparative and superlative patterns

Use it to…	Phrases
Regular forms	One syllable: cheap → cheaper → the cheapest; big → bigger → the biggest Two syllables ending in -y: busy → busier → the busiest Two or more syllables: modern → more modern → the most modern Irregular: good → better → the best; bad → worse → the worst; far → further / farther → the furthest
Modifiers	Big difference: far, much, a lot, considerably: The bus is far cheaper than the taxi. Small difference: slightly, a bit, a little: My new phone is slightly heavier. With superlatives: by far, easily: It's by far the best café in town.
as… as and not as / so… as	My brother is as tall as my dad now. The test wasn't as / so difficult as I expected. This flat is twice as big as our old one.
The + comparative, the + comparative	The earlier we leave, the less traffic there will be. The more I read about it, the less I understand. The sooner, the better.
Progressive change: comparative + and + comparative	The days are getting longer and longer. Rents are becoming more and more expensive.
Superlative patterns	It's the best meal I've ever had. She's the most patient person in our class. (in + place / group) It was one of the strangest days of my life.
less / fewer / the least	I have less free time this year. (uncountable) Fewer students take the bus now. (countable) It was the least expensive option.

Typical B1 to B2 mistakes with comparatives and superlatives

Trap: This one is more better or more easier.
Fix: Use either -er or more, never both: better, easier. To make it stronger, use much or far: much better.
Trap: She is taller as me. German speakers often write as because German als means "than".
Fix: Use than with comparatives: taller than me. Use as only in as… as.
Trap: He is the best player of the team. Italian il migliore della squadra and Spanish el mejor del equipo use of.
Fix: Use in with places and groups: the best player in the team. Use of with a time period or a group of things: the best day of my life, the best of the three.
Trap: It's the most interesting book I have never read.
Fix: With superlatives, use ever: the most interesting book I have ever read.
Trap: There were less people than last year.
Fix: Use fewer with plural countable nouns: fewer people. Keep less for uncountable nouns: less noise.
Trap: More you study, more you learn. Leaving out the in the double comparative.
Fix: Both parts need the: The more you study, the more you learn.

Worked example: comparatives in key word transformations

The task

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

I have never stayed in such a comfortable hotel.

MOST

This is ______ hotel I have ever stayed in.

The new timetable is more complicated than the old one.

The old timetable ______ the new one.

1.
Item 1. Never… such a comfortable becomes a superlative with ever. The key word MOST gives the most comfortable. Count: the + most + comfortable = 3 words.
2.
Check what is outside the gap. hotel and I have ever are already there, so don't repeat them. Writing the most comfortable hotel would add a word you don't need and repeat hotel.
3.
Item 2. The subject has changed: now we start with the old timetable, which is the less complicated one. With AS, the pattern is not as… as.
4.
The old timetable isn't as complicated as the new one. Count: is + not + as + complicated + as = 5 words, because isn't counts as two. This is exactly the limit.
5.
Common wrong answers: is less complicated as (mixes two patterns) and isn't so complicated than (wrong second word). is less complicated than is correct English but does not use AS, so it gets no marks.

Answer

This is the most comfortable hotel I have ever stayed in.

The old timetable isn't as complicated as the new one.

Practice · Reading & Use of English Part 4

Key word transformations 1: Mixed grammar

B2 comparatives and superlatives: frequently asked questions

What comparative structures do you need for B2?

Beyond basic -er / more and -est / most, you need as… as and not as… as, modifiers such as much, far and slightly, the double comparative (the more… the better), less and fewer, twice as… as and superlatives with ever.

What is the difference between less and fewer?

Use fewer with plural countable nouns (fewer cars, fewer mistakes) and less with uncountable nouns (less money, less traffic). In informal speech, many people say less for both, but in the exam fewer is the correct choice with countable nouns.

How do you say a big difference or a small difference?

For a big difference, put much, far, a lot or considerably before the comparative: far cheaper. For a small difference, use slightly, a bit or a little: slightly older. Don't use very with comparatives.

Is it "further" or "farther"?

For physical distance, both are correct in British English: the further / farther end of the room. For the meaning "more" or "additional", only further works: further information, further details.

How are comparatives tested in key word transformations?

You often have to change the subject of the comparison and keep the meaning: more expensive than becomes not as cheap as or less expensive than. Superlatives with ever and the double comparative with the… the are also common.