EF intermediate plus

1. ADJECTIVES
EF Intermediate +
1B

2. The basics
 Adjectives go before a noun – also in long strings of words linked by and
It’s a poisonous snake – a snake poisonous
 Adjectives don’t take the plural inflection –(e)s
They’re very powerful people – powerfuls people
 Use than for the comparative
I’m older than my brother – that my brother
 Use as… as not as… than
Rome isn’t as expensive as Paris – as expensive than Paris
 Be careful with comparative and superlative – the translation into Spanish is the
same – Rule of thumb: if it goes with an definite article ‘the’, it’s very likely to
be the superlative (not always). Use in not of for places
It’s the most difficult exercise in the Book – the more difficult exercise of the book

3. One/ones
 Use one/ones after a countable adjective to avoid
repetition
I’ve lost my suitcase. It’s a big, blue suitcase.
I’ve lost my suitcase. It’s a big, blue one.
Those are my books, the red ones over there
 Don’t use one/ones with uncountable nouns
I’m looking for full-time work, but I’d be happy with
part-time (not part-time one)

4. More rules for comparatives and superlatives
 One-syllable adjectives ending in –ed always use more and the
most for comparatives and superlatives (bored, pleased, shocked,
stressed, tired …)
I feel more tired today than I did yesterday – not tireder
 Some two syllable adjectives can make comparatives and
superlatives with –er and –est (clever, narrow, polite, quiet,
simple, stupid, handsome….). Use a dictionary when in doubt.
This is the narrowest street in the whole town

5. A bit and much + comparative adjective
 When the difference is small – a bit/little
It’s a bit cloudier today than yesterday
Sam is a little shorter than Dave
 When the difference is large – much/far
Your job is much more stressful than mine
A Ferrari Testarosa is far more expensive than a Kia Pikanto