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Lesson 94 of 240

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More, less, same in English

Ana stands at the pie case at the Blue Plate. Apple and cherry sit side by side under the warm light.

Murray already has a pick. Dee says the two pies are close, hon.

By the end, you'll compare two things with more, less, than, and as good as.

You'll say which one is better, and you'll say when two things are about the same.

By the end of this lesson

Compare two things as more, less, or the same.

  • ___ is better than ___.You say the first thing is the better choice.
  • ___ is more ___ than ___.You compare how much of a quality each one has.
  • This is less sweet than that.This one tastes less sweet.
  • They're about the same.There is no big difference.
  • This is as good as that.The two things are equal in quality.
  • Which is better, this or that?You ask someone to choose the better one.

Scene — the pie case

Same afternoon at the Blue Plate. Ana leans over the pie case at the end of the counter.

Apple pie and cherry pie sit on stands. The tags on the glass are blank.

Murray watches from two stools. Dee holds the coffee pot and waits for Ana to pick.

Ana leans over the pie case while Dee waits with the coffee pot and Murray watches from two stools.

Learn — more, less, same

Six short lines help you compare two things as more, less, or the same.

You'll also ask which one is better.

  1. Murray gestures toward the apple pie as his preferred choice beside the cherry pie.

    ___ is better than ___.

    You say the first thing is the better choice.

    When to use it: Use this when you pick one thing over another.

    Put the better thing first. Than comes after better.

    Say it: Stress the first part of better.

  2. Dee compares the two pies with her hands to show that one has more of a quality than the other.

    ___ is more ___ than ___.

    You compare how much of a quality each one has.

    When to use it: Use this to compare a quality of two things.

    Put more before the quality word. Than comes after it.

    Say it: Than often sounds weak after more.

  3. Ana tastes the cherry pie and indicates that it is less sweet than the apple pie.

    This is less sweet than that.

    This one tastes less sweet.

    When to use it: Use this when this one has a smaller amount of a quality.

    Less goes before the quality. Than comes after it.

    Say it: Less ends with a clear s sound.

  4. Murray holds an even gesture over both pies to suggest there is no big difference.

    They're about the same.

    There is no big difference.

    When to use it: Use this when two things are close, with no big difference.

    They're is they are. Learn it as one piece.

    Say it: They're starts with a th sound.

  5. Dee presents the apple pie and cherry pie as equal in quality.

    This is as good as that.

    The two things are equal in quality.

    When to use it: Use this when two things are equal in quality.

    As goes on both sides of the quality word.

    Say it: As can sound weak, like 'uhz.'

  6. Ana turns from the two pies toward Dee, inviting her to choose the better one.

    Which is better, this or that?

    You ask someone to choose the better one.

    When to use it: Use this when you want someone to pick the better one.

    This question gives two things and asks for a pick.

    Say it: Stress better, not which.

Story — apple or cherry

Watch Ana compare two pies at the case. Murray has a pick. Dee does not.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. Ana leans over the pie case.
  2. AnaWhich is better, this or that?You ask someone to choose the better one.
  3. MurrayApple is better than cherry.He says apple is the better pie.
  4. AnaBetter? Does that mean a fight?She thinks better means a real fight.
  5. DeeNo, hon. Just the taste.She says it is about taste, not a fight.
  6. AnaApple is sweeter than cherry.She says the apple pie tastes sweeter.
  7. DeeThis is less sweet than that.This one tastes less sweet.
  8. AnaI don't like it too sweet.I want less sugar in this.
  9. MurrayApple is more filling than cherry.He says apple pie fills you up more.
  10. AnaFilling? Like the inside of the pie?She thinks filling means the inside of the pie.
  11. DeeNo, hon. It fills you up.She means the pie makes you full.
  12. MurraySo I like this more than that.He prefers the first pie to the second.
  13. DeeThey're about the same, hon.There is no big difference.
  14. AnaThis is as good as that.The two things are equal in quality.
  15. DeeBoth are good.Each one is good.
  16. Dee taps the glass with one finger.
  17. MurrayWell, apple is better than cherry.He still says apple is the better pie.

Practice — pick the better one

Eleven short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, fill a gap, and swap a word.

They stay small, so you can move through them fast.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    This is less sweet than that.Drop the Simple English here
    They're about the same.Drop the Simple English here
    This is as good as that.Drop the Simple English here
    Which is better, this or that?Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

    Drag a Simple English line onto its English, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You think apple pie is the better choice. Tell Dee.

  4. What does it mean?

    They're about the same.

  5. Fill the gap

    This one tastes less sweet.

    This is ____ sweet than that.

  6. Build the line

    The two things are equal in quality.

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    The apple pie is pretty sweet, hon.

    She says the apple pie tastes pretty sweet.

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    The two pies have equal quality. Say that.

    This is as ____ as that.

  9. What do you say?

    You think apple pie fills you up more than cherry. Tell Murray.

  10. True or false?

    This line means you like only the first thing.

  11. What do you say?

    You taste both pies. You want the apple more than the cherry.

Say it — compare the pies

Now you're Ana at the pie case. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.

Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Ana (you)Ask her to choose the better pie.

    Which is better, this or that?

    You ask someone to choose the better one.

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
___ is better than ___.You say the first thing is the better choice.
___ is more ___ than ___.You compare how much of a quality each one has.
This is less sweet than that.This one tastes less sweet.
They're about the same.There is no big difference.
This is as good as that.The two things are equal in quality.
Which is better, this or that?You ask someone to choose the better one.
Next: lesson 95Best and even better

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