Equal and Unequal comparisons and the Superlatives

The Comparatives allow you to make comparisons between things of equal value or things of unequal value.

In expressions of Equality, we use the expression Tanto/a/os/as...como which means "as many (noun/s) as" or "as much (noun/s) as" and is used when comparing a number or quantity of things:

Yo tengo tantas bebidas como Paolo.	I have as many drinks as Paolo.
Mi padre tiene tanto pelo como mi abuelo.	My father has as much hair as my grandfather.

Notice that tanto must agree with whatever thing is being compared. In the first example, We use tantasbecause bebidas is feminine and plural; but in the second example we use tanto because pelo is masculine and singular.

The expression tan.. como is used when comparing characteristics and personality traits. It means "as (adjective or adverb) as". For example:

Gumby es tan famoso como Pokey.	Gumby is as famous as Pokey.
Pokey es tan rápido como Roadrunner.	Pokey is as fast as Roadrunner.

Remember that tan doesn't need to change the way tanto does in order to agree in number and gender.

We use comparisons of Inequality when things are more or less SOMETHING than another thing or person.
These expressions include más...que"more [adjective/adverb/nouns] than..." and menos...que "less [adjective/adverb/nouns]than..."

Soy más alta que mi hermana.	I'm taller than my sister.
Vershara juega al golf más que Sara.	Vershara plays golf more than Sara.
Jessica bebe menos jugo de naranja que Sara.	Jessica drinks less orange juice than Sara.
Brian es menos tímido que Jessica.	Brian is less shy than Jessica.
Franchesca habla más idiomas que mucha gente.	Franchesca speaks more languages than many people.
Pauline está más contenta que los otros estudiantes.	Pauline is feeling happier than the other students.

When referring to a number, we use de:

Tengo más de treinta libros.

I have more than thirty books.

An important note for the Comparatives: When comparing something or someone to yourself, use Yo not mi or me. In English, it is a very common error to say "*He is taller than me." But it really should be "He is taller than I." The full sentence structure of a comparative is "He is taller than I am (tall)." or "He is as nice as I am (nice)." This is the same in Spanish:

Él es más alto que yo.

Él es tan amable como yo.

The Superlatives are used to describe the Best or Worst of something. To form the Superlative we use a definite article + "más" or "menos" + adjective + "de" and then the group that the person or thing is being compared to.

For example:

Arnold Schwarzenegger es el actor más cómico del mundo.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the funniest actor in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el actor menos arrogante de Hollywood.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the least arrogant actor in Hollywood.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el actor más fuerte de California.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the strongest actor in California.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el actor menos guapo de Hollywood.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the least handsome actor in Hollywood.
There are irregular forms to say the	Best, Worst, Oldest and Youngest:
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el mejor actor del mundo.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the best actor in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el peor actor del mundo.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the worst actor in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el mayor actor del mundo.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the oldest actor in the world.
Arnold Schwarzenegger es el menor actor del mundo.	Arnold Schwarzenegger is the youngest actor in the world.

(It all depends on your opinion and point of view here.)

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