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Degree modifiers with comparatives and superlatives

We cannot use very with comparatives. Instead we use other degree modifiers like much, far, very much, a lot, lots, any, no, rather, a little, a bit and even.

• She is much older than her husband. (NOT … very older than ...)
• Is he any better?
• Russian is much/far more difficult than Spanish.
• You are no better than him.

Grammar Notes

Note that any, no, a bit and a lot are not normally used to modify comparatives before nouns.

• There are much better shops in the city. (NOT … a bit/a lot better …)

Quite is not normally used with comparatives, but it is possible in the expression quite better, meaning ‘recovered from an illness’.

Superlatives can be modified by much and by far, and by other adverbs of degree such as quite and almost.

• She is by far the oldest in the firm.
• He is quite the most stupid person I have ever met.

When more modifies a plural noun, it is modified by many.

• many more opportunities

When more modifies a singular/uncountable noun, it is modified by much.

• much more money

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