Academic Writing

3 Forms of comparison
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Compare these three structures
Parisian property is more expensive than Roman. (property)
Property in Paris is more expensive than in Rome.
The price of property in Paris is higher than in Rome.
Note that high/low are used for comparing abstract ideas (e.g. rates):
The birth rate was higher 20 years ago.
more/less must be used with than + comparison:
This module is more difficult than the last one.
Divorce is less common in Turkey than in Germany.
4 Using superlatives (e.g. the largest/smallest)
When using superlatives, take care to define the group (e.g. ‘the cheapest car’ has no meaning):
The cheapest car in the Ford range/in the USA.
the most/the least are followed by an adjective:
The most interesting example is Ireland . . .
the most/the fewest are used in relation to numbers:
The fewest
students studied biogenetics. (i.e. the lowest number)
5 Practice B
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Study the table opposite, which shows the income of the top 10 clubs in European
football. Then read the comparisons. Each sentence contains one error. Find and
correct it.
102
Part 2:
Elements of Writing

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Income of leading European football clubs 2012–2013
2.4: Comparisons
103
Club
Revenue (
€ million)
Real Madrid
518
FC Barcelona
482
Bayern Munich
431
Manchester United
423
Paris Saint Germain
398
Manchester City
316
Chelsea
303
Arsenal
284
Juventus
272
AC Milan
263
(a) Real Madrid was the richest football club.
(b) Real Madrid’s income was almost twice much as AC Milan’s.
(c) FC Barcelona earned marginally more than Manchester City.
(d) Juventus had less revenue Arsenal.
(e) Chelsea’s income was slightly lower than Bayern Munich’s.
(f) Manchester United earned approximately same as Bayern Munich.