Grammar · Comparison
Modifying Comparisons (Much Better, The More…The More…)
Much colder, a bit faster, the more … the more: show how big a difference is, with the film Cool Runnings.
Grammar › Comparison › Modifying Comparisons (Much Better, The More…The More…)
The rule in one sentencePut much / far / a lot before a comparative for a big difference and a bit / slightly for a small one – and use the more …, the more … when two things change together.
About the film
Cool Runnings is a film from 1993 about Derice Bannock, a fast runner from Jamaica. When he misses his chance at the Summer Olympics, he starts a bobsleigh team with three other men and a former champion, Irv, as their coach. The Winter Olympics are in Calgary, Canada, which is much colder than Jamaica, and the ice is a lot harder than they expect.
What does it do?
A comparative like colder or more difficult tells you that two things are different. But how different? A small word before the comparative gives the answer.
For a big difference, use much, far or a lot. For a small difference, use a bit, a little or slightly. The film is based on a true story: Jamaica’s first bobsleigh team, at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Look at the first and third tiles. Both use a comparative, but much shows a big gap and a bit shows a small one. There is also a pattern for two changes that happen together: the more they train, the faster they get.
Calgary is much colder than Jamaica. Today is a bit colder than yesterday.
The same comparative, colder. The small word before it shows how big the difference is.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
much / far / a lot — a big difference
The ice is much harder than the team expects.
The first practice isn’t much better than the last one.
Not much + comparative = only a small difference.Is Calgary a lot colder than Jamaica?
a bit / a little / slightly — a small difference
The team feels a bit more confident today.
Their start is slightly slower than yesterday.
Slower, worse, colder: the small word works the same way.Can you push a little harder?
A polite way to ask for a small change.When to use each one
much / far / a lot — a big difference
a bit / slightly — a small difference
Words that help: big or small?
These words sit just before the comparative. Choose the one that matches the size of the difference.
much / far / a lot → a big difference
a bit / slightly → a small difference
Common mistakes
❌ Calgary is very colder than Jamaica.
✅ Calgary is much colder than Jamaica.
Very doesn’t go before a comparative. Use much.
❌ The ice is much more harder than sand.
✅ The ice is much harder than sand.
Don’t use more and -er together.
❌ The more they train, more fast they get.
✅ The more they train, the faster they get.
Both parts need “the”, and use faster, not more fast.
❌ The second run is a bit fast than the first.
✅ The second run is a bit faster than the first.
After a bit, use the comparative form: faster.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
The more …, the more … links two changes that happen together. When one thing goes up, the other goes up too. Both halves start with the + a comparative, and there is a comma in the middle.
✅ The more they practise, the more confident they feel.
✅ The colder it gets, the faster the ice becomes.
Some short forms are fixed phrases: the sooner, the better · the bigger, the better.
Practice: choose the right form
Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. Calgary is ___ colder than Jamaica.
Very doesn’t go before a comparative → much.
2. The ice is much ___ than sand.
Don’t use more with an -er word.
3. ___ they train, the faster they get.
Both halves need “the”.
4. Their start is ___ slower than yesterday – just one second.
One second is a small difference → a bit.
5. A bobsleigh is ___ faster than a person on foot.
A huge difference → a lot.
6. The second run is a bit ___ than the first.
After a bit, use the comparative: faster.
7. The more they practise, ___ they feel.
The second half also needs “the”.
8. Canada in winter is ___ than Jamaica.
Far goes with a comparative: far colder.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
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