Language 2 A s . . . a s , not as ...as

We use as + adjective / adverb + as to make comparisons when the things we are comparing are equal in some way. -» g h

1 D iscu ssin g Genres Read the statements and voice your opinion. Do you agree? Disagree? Why? Why not? A well - written biography is as rare as a well - lived life - T h o m a s C a r ly le Every following book of Harry Potter is as exciting as the previous one. Reading fantasy is as fascinating as entering a new reality. The most recent fables are not as clear as the old ones. Reading a popular book is as exciting as meeting with a famous book author. Love for mystery is as infectious as a flu. The story of R o m e o a n d J u li e t is as heartbreaking as in T h e T ita n ic . Biography books are as encouraging as autobiographies. Reading a textbook is not so time consuming as writing.

2 A S A P - as soon as possible Read the sentences, underline the phrases with as ...a s +possibility. 1. Reading this book, I tried to learn as many facts as I could. 2. She was as passionate as she could about literature. 3. Trying to cheer her mom up, he read as much as he could. 4. I visited our school library as often as possible. 5. Try to read as fast as possible but also reading.

^ As . . . as + possibility

We often use expressions of possibility or ability after as .. . as:

Can you come as soon as possible?

Go to as many places as you can.

We got here as fast as we could. G11 make sure you understand what you are

3 As m uch, as many The quantity adjective (much or many) depends if the noun in the comparison is countable or uncountable. Complete the sentences with much or many. 1. When I think of myself now, it’s hard to believe I read a s..........books as my friend.

2. T h e A d v e n t u r e s o f H u c k l e b e r r y F in n was translated into a s......languages as H a r r y P o tte r . 3. T h e A l c h e m i s t had a s........ success as

T h e D a V in c i C o d e did. 4. Reading non-fiction story requires a s.......... patience as science fiction does. 5. Read a s........ chapters of the book as you can.

6. My understanding of T h e B u t t e r f ly is P a t i e n t was just a s......as any young girl who reads non-fiction.

► When we want to make comparisons referring to quantity, we use as much as with uncountable nouns and as many as with plural nouns:

Greg makes as much money as Mick but not as much as Neil.

There weren't as many people there as I expected.