Modifiers (comparisons)

1. Modifiers intensify the degree of comparatives and superlatives (note that 'very' cannot be used with comparatives)

• She is much older than her husband (correct)
• She is very older than her husband (incorrect)

2. Some common modifiers used with comparative and superlative are:

• She is far more dependable than her brother
• I’m a whole lot happier now
• She is no better than him
• I would buy that watch if it was a little less expensive
• Her performance was even worse than her co-star’s
• She would have finished that job rather more quickly
• She is a lot less careful than her sister

3. When we use the modifier 'many more' with countable nouns and 'much more' with uncountable nouns

• If you have a degree, you will find many more opportunities (countable)
• She makes much more money than her husband (uncountable)

4. To modify superlatives, we can use words and expressions like 'much', 'by far', 'quite', 'almost', 'practically', 'nearly', 'easily', etc.

• She is by far the most talented in the team
• He is quite the most amazing person I’ve ever met
• This is easily the worst film I’ve seen in a long time