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Equality: As + adjective + as …

Presentation / Objective

 

twins

Rustamov, K. (2017). Twins Girls Sisters Grass Russia Moscow Beautiful [photo]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://pixabay.com/photo-1706539/

 

It is always a good idea to know how to compare different nouns, but what happens if you are comparing and find no difference?

 

 

Before you need to use them, it is a good idea to learn how to make comparisons of equality. In this unit, you will first explore the form.

Then, you will do some practice exercises.

Next, you will be given different situations where you will be using the structure as + noun + as for comparing people, buildings, objects and places in grammar, writing, listening, reading and speaking exercises.

At this point, it is essential that you already know the use of the verb to be (in the present), and that you are familiar with adjectives and comparative forms in English.

It is always a good idea to know how to compare different nouns, but what happens if you are comparing and find no difference?

Objective

By the end of this topic you will:
• Understand and express the equality between two nouns, using the correct comparative form, to establish relations between different people, objects and places.

Content

Comparison of equality (as…as)

When you want to express that two nouns are equal, it is possible to use the following comparative form “as + adjective/adverb + as".

It is a way comparing two nouns in an equal way.

two concentrated persons

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Yus and Sandra. [photo]

Equality

Noun 1

+

verb to be

+

as

+

adjective simple form

+

as

+

Noun 2

Yussell

is

as

concentrated

as

Sandra.

Yussell

esta

tan

concentrado

como

Sandra.

When the nouns you are comparing are not equal, you can use the negative form:

a person concentrated and another happy

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Yus and Sandra not. [photo]

Sandra

isn’t

as

serious

as

Yussell.

Sandra

no es

tan

seria

como

Yussell.

 

Once you have learned how to use the rules, everything will be much easier to communicate.

success

Imgur. (2015). Just got accepted to a graduate program. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee [GIF]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://imgur.com/fl8VsCp

This is… Goyo!

Golden Retriever dog

Pérez Escobedo, L. Ja. (2017). Goyo [photo]

Goyo is a golden retriever. He is very no only sympathetic and energetic, but also very playful.

And this is… Bruno!

boxer dog

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Bruno [photo]

Bruno is a mischievous and very energetic boxer who hates cats.

Now that you know the characters of today’s lesson. Let’s check the steps needed to express a comparison of equality.

 

1. You always need a first noun.

Example:

Goyo

2. If this noun is singular, make sure to have an agreement between your noun and the verb (Mary- is/was, John- is/was, but Mary and John- are/were)

Example:

Goyo

is

3. Use “as” (meaning “tan” in Spanish).

Example:

Goyo

is

as

4. Use the adjective in simple form (dictionary form, for example: as good, as intelligent, as bad, as new, etc.)

Example:

Goyo

is

as

playful

5. Use “as” (meaning now “como” in Spanish).

Example:

Goyo

is

as

playful

as

6. Use the 2nd noun to complete the comparison.

Example:

Goyo

is

as

playful

as

Bruno.

 
Golden Retriever dog and  boxer dog

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Goyo and Bruno [photo]

 

 

In the negative form, the only difference is the use of a negative auxiliary.

 

1. Use the first noun.

Example:

Goyo

2. If this noun is singular, make sure to have an agreement between your noun and the auxiliary verb in negative.

Example:

Goyo

isn’t

3. Use “as” meaning “tan” in Spanish.

Example:

Goyo

isn’t

as

4. Use the adjective in simple form (dictionary form, for example: as good, as intelligent, as bad, as new, etc.)

Example:

Goyo

isn’t

as

young

5. Use “as” meaning now “como” in Spanish.

Example:

Goyo

isn’t

as

young

as

6. Use the 2nd noun to complete the comparison.

Example:

Goyo

isn’t

as

young

as

Bruno.

 
Golden Retriever dog and  boxer dog

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Goyo and Bruno not [photo]

 

Remember when using a comparison of equality, all the adjectives should be in the simple form (with no modifications).

 

Grammar

Activity 1

Choosing the correct comparison

Let's start by testing the rules of the game!

Comparison of equality is the ideal structure to identify and establish relations between different people, objects and places of daily life.

According to what you have learned previously, write the equality form using the adjectives in the parenthesis. Look at the pictures so you can have more information.

Be careful when writing your answers. Don’t include extra spaces or characters.

Writing

Activity 2

Beverage comparison

Comparison of equality is a tool that you can use when buying, consuming, examining or choosing something.

In this activity, you will have to look at a picture and use the information given to complete the following table of similarities and differences.

Red Bull  Comparison Chart

No.

Similarities

Differences

1

2

3

4

5

6

Read the following example, so you know what to do in this activity:

Differences:
Carbs in Red Bull Total zero 8.4 oz. are not as bad as Red Bull 8.4 oz.

beverage comparative table

TheImpulsiveBuy. (2012). Red Bull Comparison Chart [graphic]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://flic.kr/p/bQ9GrK

You will have to write “as…as” or “not as…as” with the correct form of the adjective. There must be at least six similarities and six differences.

Now, use the following rubrics to evaluate your work.

Listening

Activity 3

We are not very different

India-Mexico

BubbleDude22. (2009). India Mexico Locator [illustration]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://goo.gl/jALNBK

Travelling is one of the most enriching experiences. Can you imagine finding similarities in places that you never imagined?

In the following activity, you will listen to Priyank who loves travelling and getting a glimpse of different lifestyles. Having lived in India for 25 years, now he is talking about two countries: Mexico and India.

young man

Theplanetd. (2011). Priyank [photo]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from
https://theplanetd.com/india-mexico-similarities/


Thatte, P. (2011). India and Mexico, More Similar Than You’d Think,. Adapted for educational purposes on 2017, February 09 from https://theplanetd.com/india-mexico-similarities/

Reading

Activity 4

Reading my journey through different places

plane

Hi-Art.(2014).Giphy plane [GIF]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://giphy.com/gifs/hiart-app-sticker-hi-art-l0O9yRrGRVgdrzEJ2

Describing and comparing our experiences in life with others help people be more prepared when they visit a different country or culture. It is a good idea to give others good advice on what we have learnt.

In the following activity, you will read a letter that Damian wrote about the places he has visited. Click here to read the text.

Speaking

Activity 5

Speaking about people and places

It's time to practice your pronunciation and feel confident of what you have learned.

Mention the equalities or differences you can identify in each picture given. You will be using “as…as” or “not as…as” to express your ideas.

Listen to an example of this activity.


 

 

First look at the pictures. Then think of the similarities or differences. Once you know what you will be saying, record yourself mentioning your comparatives. You will have to answer three similarities or differences in each picture.

When you finish, use the rubrics to know your score.

two womans

Pérez Escobedo, L. J. (2017). Vale y San [photo]

Sandra:

Valeria:

Age: 25

Age: 23

Height: 1.55

Height: 1.54

Weight: 54 kg.

Weight: 54 Kg.

twins

Elbe, M. (2011). Twins, 4 years old [photo]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zwillinge-2011.jpg

Emil Smith

Tom Smith

Age: 4

Age: 4

Height: 1.05

Height: 1.07

Hair colour: light

Hair colour: light

weather report

Masoner, R.(2009) . Weather: Portland, OR vs Indy [screenshot]. Retrieved on 2017, March 31 from https://flic.kr/p/4rzXLc

Self-assessment

Self-assessment 1

Comparisons of equality

According to what you have learned, choose the correct form of the comparative to create a coherent sentence.

Example:

Cristina isn’t as_________Lourdes.

a) taller as

b) tall as

cc) taller than

Choose the best option for the following statements. At the end of the activity, you can see your score.

 

Self-assessment 2

Creating sentences

Using the correct form to express equality choose the best order of the different elements. You will have as many opportunities as you need until all the sentences correct. You can know your score at the end of the exercise.

References

Basic

Aarts, Bas. (2011). Oxford Modern English Grammmar. New York: Oxford University Press.
Uhl Chamot, A., Barnhardt, S, Beard El Dinary, P. y Robbins, J. (2008). The learning strategies. New York: Longman.
Eales, F., y Oakes, S. (2012).  Speakout Elementary. U.K: Pearson Education Limited.
Oxeden, C., Latham-Koenig, C. y Seligson, P. (2008). American English File 1. Oxford,  U. K: Oxford University Press.
Saslow, J., Ascher, A. y Morsberger, R. (2011) . Top Notch 1. Pearson Longman.
Soarz, J. y Soarz, L. (2001) American Headway 1. Oxford, U. K: Univerity Press.
Swan, M. (2010). Good grammar book. New York: Oxford University Press.
Littlejohn, A., & Hicks, D. (1999). Student's book. Stuttgart: Klett.
Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (2002). Marco Común Europeo de Referencia para las lenguas: aprendizaje, enseñanza, evaluación.  Retrieved on 2017, February 09 from https://cvc.cervantes.es/ensenanza/biblioteca_ele/marco/cvc_mer.pdf.

 

Complementary

C. Mahoney. (2014). Comparative and Superlative Adjectives. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.