Grammar reference
• with plural mountain ranges and island groups
Are the Andes as high as the Himalayas?
The British Isles include the Isle of Wight and the Isle
of Man.
• with continents and countries whose name includes a
common noun
He's from the Czech Republic, but he's living in the
United States.
• areas
There is a range of mountains in the north.
• with hotels, cinemas, theatres
They had afternoon tea at the Ritz.
That new Polish film is on at the Odeon.
• with newspapers
The Times, The Guardian, The Independent
• with national groups
The English are a mixed race.
3.2 The indefinite article: a/an
Use the indefinite article a/an:
with (singular) jobs, etc.
She's an architect.
Is your sister a football fan, too?
with singular countable nouns (mentioned for the first
time or when it doesn't matter which one)
I'd like a sandwich and a glass of orange juice.
What you need is a rest.
with these numbers: 100, 1,000, 1,000,000
There were over a hundred people at the wedding.
He made a million dollars in one year.
in exclamations about singular countable nouns
What an amazing view!
3.3 The zero article
We use no article (the zero article) when talking about:
• uncountable, plural and abstract nouns used in their
general sense
We had awful weather on holiday
Happiness isn't the only thing in life.
• continents and countries
They are going to visit Africa.
Have you been to Nepal?
• mountains and lakes
They are going to climb Mount Everest.
Is Lake Titicaca in Peru?
• villages, towns and cities
San Marco is a pleasant little fishing village.
Saffron Walden is a small market town near Cambridge.
Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand.
• streets, roads, etc.
In London, there are some good shops on Oxford
Street.
• magazines
Do you read Time magazine?
• illnesses
I've got flu and Sue's got indigestion.
Watch Out! I've got a headache and I think I'm
getting a cold.
Also use no article in the following expressions:
to/at/from school/university/college
at home
go home
in/to class
to/in/into/from church
to/in/into/out of pnson/hospital/bed
to/at/from work
for/at/to breakfast/lunch/dinner
by carlbuslbicyclelplane/train/tubelboat
on foot
by accident/chance
4 Comparison
4. 1 Types of comparison
There are three types of comparison:
1 to a higher degree (comparative form + than)
Mountain climbing is more dangerous than
windsurfing.
The Andes mountains are higher than the Alps.
to the same degree (as ... as)
Hiring a car would cost just as much as getting a taxi.
I don't enjoy swimming as much as I used to.
to a lower degree (with less + than and the least)
I am less keen on taking risks than I used to be.
Antarctica is the least densely populated continent.
4.2 Comparative and superlative forms
of adjectives
One-syllable adjectives
Add -er and -est toforrn the comparative and superlative
of one-syllable adjectives.
Which is the highest mountain in the world?
For one-syllable adjectives ending in a vowel + a
consonant, double the consonant, e.g. hot - hotter-
hottest.
For one-syllable adjectives ending in -e, add -rand -st,
e.g. fine - finer - finest.
2 Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y and -ow
For two-syllable adjectives ending in -y after a consonant,
drop the -y and add -ier and -iest.
Childhood is the happiest time of your life.
For two-syllable adjectives ending in -ow, add -er and -est.
The road became narrower as we went along.
For other two-syllable adjectives see 4.3 below.
4.3 more and most + adjective
Use more and most with:
• two-syllable adjectives (except for those listed in 4.2)
Walking at high altitudes is more tiring than at sea level.
It was the most boring magazine I'd ever read.
• adjectives with three or more syllables
This exam was more difficult than the last one.
This is the most interesting book I've read.
 Grammar reference

4.4 Irregular comparative and 5 Conditionals

superlative adjectives
These are the most common irregular forms:
good - better - best
bad - worse - worst
little - less - least
much - more - most
far - further/farther - furthest/farthest
Jim is a better player than I am, but John is the best.
It's the worst game I've ever seen. It's even worse than
their last one.
You live further from the station than I do, but Pedro lives
the furthest away
4.5 Comparing adverbs
Most adverbs of manner have two or more syllables.
Therefore they form their comparatives and superlatives
with more and most.
If you speak more clearly, everyone will be able to hear
you.
Sarni works the most quickly.
2 Adverbs with the same form as adjectives form their
comparatives with -er and -est.
I can run fast, but Toni can run even faster.
We were the earliest people to get to the party
He'll need to work much harder if he's going to pass the
exam.
It'll take much longer if we walk - let's get the bus.
Who'.s the quickest at mental arithmetic?
We'll get there sooner if we walk.
4.6 Irregular comparative adverbs
badly and well use the same comparative and superlative
forms as bad and good.
I did worse in Maths than I'd expected, but better in
English.
2 Other irregular forms include: late - later - latest, much -
more - most, little - less - least
Tom arrived later than Peter, but Mary arrived last.
I don't go to the cinema much, but I go more than I
used to.
She likes Howard less than Dean, but she likes Sylvester
least of all.
4.7 Modifying comparisons
We can use the following words to modify comparatives:
far I much I a lot cheaper/less expensive
very much bigger/better
rather harder
a bit I slightly I a little faster
no worse than
not any quicker
just as good as
almost I not quite as expensive as
not nearly as cheap
Watch Out! You cannot use very with comparatives.
5.1 Conditional linking words and
punctuation
Common conditional conjunctions are: if, as/so long as, unless,
even if, providing, provided (that), on condition that, no
matter howlwholwhatlwherelwhen
When the clause with the conditional linking word (if, unless,
etc.) is at the beginning of the sentence, there is a comma.
When the main clause begins the sentence, there is no
comma.
If you give me your number, I'll phone you tomorrow.
As long as you take your mobile, I can phone you any time.
I won't go unless you come with me. (=if you don't come
with me)
We're going on the walk even if it rains.
I'll help you on condition that you don't tell.
No matter how many times you ask me to, I won't do it.
Note: in case is used to describe things we do as precautions
against what might happen.
I'll take the mobile in case Ineed to phone you.
5.2 General truths
FORM: If+ present simple + present simple in the main clause
USE: to describe a general truth
If there is life on other planets, we are not alone.
Unless lions are frightened or hungry, they're not very
dangerous.
5.3 Possibility/likelihood in the present or
future
FORM: If, etc. + present simple/present continuous/present
perfect + present continuous, future or imperative in the main
clause
USE: to describe what is possible or likely in the present or
future
You won't get an interview unless you've filled in an
application form.
Ask Tom to buy the land no matter how much it costs.
If you're watching tv. you will see him presenting the news.
5.4 Unlikely or contrary to present fact
FORM: If+ past simple/continuous+ would/could etc. + past
participle in the main clause
USE:
1 To talk about something:
• that is contrary to the present facts, or seen as very unlikely
to happen
If I was/were twenty years younger, I'd emigrate.
If I was/were Prime Minister, I'd make health care free.
• which is very unlikely to happen in the future
No matter how safe it was, I wouldn't want to travel in
space.
I wouldn't apply for that job unless I thought I had a
good chance of getting it.
2 To give advice.
I'd write it out again if I were you.

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