Comparative Constructions Revision Notes for AQA A-Level Spanish

Comparative constructions

(Las construcciones comparativas)

Comparative constructions enable you to draw comparisons between people, objects, actions, and amounts. These structures appear frequently in opinion writing, discursive essays, and speaking tasks, making them essential for expressing nuanced ideas at A-Level.

Overview

Spanish has three principal ways to make comparisons:

Equality – showing two things are the same in degree or amount
Inequality – showing one thing has more or less of a quality than another
Irregular forms – special comparative words that don't follow regular patterns

Mastering these structures allows you to construct sophisticated arguments and express subtle differences in meaning.

Comparisons of equality

With adjectives or adverbs

When you want to say that two things are equally interesting, fast, difficult, etc., use the following pattern:

Structure: tan + adjective/adverb + como

infoNote

The word tan remains the same regardless of what follows. It means "as" in English and introduces the quality being compared.

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: Using "tan...como" with adjectives

Es tan interesante como el libro. (It is as interesting as the book.)

Here, "tan" combines with the adjective "interesante" to show equal levels of interest between two things.
Habla tan rápido como su hermano. (He/She speaks as quickly as his/her brother.)

The adverb "rápido" follows "tan" to compare the speed of speaking.

With nouns

When comparing quantities or amounts of things, the structure changes slightly because you need to match the gender and number of the noun.

Structure: tanto/a(s) + noun + como

Unlike "tan," the word "tanto" adjusts to agree with the noun:

tanto (masculine singular)
tanta (feminine singular)
tantos (masculine plural)
tantas (feminine plural)

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: Using "tanto...como" with nouns

Tiene tantos amigos como tú. (He/She has as many friends as you.)

"Tantos" is masculine plural to match "amigos."
Hay tanta gente como antes. (There are as many people as before.)

"Tanta" is feminine singular to match "gente."

chatImportant

Agreement rule: The form of tanto must match the noun it modifies in both gender and number. This is a common error point in exams, so always check the noun carefully.

Comparisons of inequality

With adjectives or adverbs

When expressing that something has more or less of a quality than something else, Spanish uses a straightforward pattern.

Structure: más / menos + adjective/adverb + que

más = more
menos = less/fewer
que = than

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: Comparing with "más/menos...que"

Es más difícil que pensaba. (It is more difficult than I thought.)

This sentence compares the actual difficulty level with the expected difficulty.
Habla menos claramente que antes. (He/She speaks less clearly than before.)

The adverb "claramente" is modified by "menos" to show a decrease in clarity.

With nouns

The same structure applies when comparing quantities of nouns.

Structure: más / menos + noun + que

Example sentences:

Tiene más tiempo que yo. (He/She has more time than me.)

Comparing the amount of time two people have.
Hay menos problemas que el año pasado. (There are fewer problems than last year.)

Comparing the quantity of problems between two time periods.

Que vs de lo que (crucial distinction)

This is a high-level structure essential for A-Level success. When your comparison is followed by a clause containing a verb, Spanish requires de lo que instead of just "que."

Structure: más/menos + adjective/noun + de lo que + verb

chatImportant

Why this matters: Using "que" when you need de lo que is a common mistake that signals lower-level Spanish. Examiners specifically look for correct use of "de lo que" as evidence of advanced grammatical control.

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: When to use "de lo que"

Tiene más dinero de lo que creía. (He/She has more money than he/she believed.)

The comparison is followed by the verb "creía," so "de lo que" is necessary.
Es menos grave de lo que parece. (It is less serious than it seems.)

"Parece" is a verb, triggering the use of "de lo que."
Trabaja más de lo que debería. (He/She works more than he/she should.)

Again, "debería" is a verb requiring "de lo que."

Irregular comparative forms

Some frequently used adjectives and adverbs have special comparative forms. These never combine with "más" or "menos".

Adjective/Adverb	Comparative	English
bueno / bien	mejor	better
malo / mal	peor	worse
grande	mayor	bigger/older (for age)
pequeño	menor	smaller/younger (for age)

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: Using irregular comparatives

Este examen es mejor. (This exam is better.)

Never say "más mejor" – this is incorrect.
Es peor de lo esperado. (It is worse than expected.)

Notice "de lo esperado" because a verb concept follows.
Mi hermano es mayor que yo. (My brother is older than me.)

"Mayor" is used for comparing age between people.

chatImportant

Critical error to avoid: ✗ más mejor → ✓ mejor

These forms score highly in exams when used confidently and correctly.

Superlative constructions (related topic)

Though not strictly comparative, superlatives are closely linked and worth noting here.

Relative superlatives

When expressing "the most" or "the least," use the definite article with "más" or "menos."

Structure: el/la/los/las + más/menos + adjective

Examples:

Es el más interesante. (It is the most interesting.)
Son las menos importantes. (They are the least important.)

Absolute superlatives

To emphasize "very" or "extremely," Spanish has two options:

muy + adjective/adverb: muy difícil (very difficult)
-ísimo/a(s) ending: dificilísimo (extremely difficult)

infoNote

The "-ísimo" form is more emphatic and formal, adding impact to your expression.

Comparisons with verbs

Comparative structures frequently appear when comparing actions people perform.

lightbulbExample

Worked Example: Comparing actions

Trabaja más que yo. (He/She works more than me.)

Comparing the amount of work done.
Estudia menos de lo que debería. (He/She studies less than he/she should.)

Note "de lo que" because "debería" is a verb.
Viaja tanto como antes. (He/She travels as much as before.)

Using "tanto como" for equal comparison with a verb.

These constructions are particularly useful in argumentative essays when discussing different behaviours or approaches.

Common mistakes and tips

chatImportant

Errors to avoid:

Confusing tan and tanto: Remember tan goes with adjectives/adverbs; tanto goes with nouns and must agree.
Forgetting agreement with tanto/a(s): Always check the gender and number of the noun following "tanto."
Using que instead of de lo que: When a verb follows your comparison, you must use de lo que.
Combining más with irregular comparatives: Never say "más mejor" or "más peor" – use mejor or peor alone.

infoNote

Exam strategy:

Learn the contrast between "tan" and "tanto" as a fixed rule
Always check whether a verb follows your comparison → if yes, use "de lo que"
Use irregular comparatives confidently – they demonstrate advanced knowledge
Comparative constructions work brilliantly in argumentative essays to weigh up different viewpoints

Example sentences with explanations

Equality with adjectives:

La casa es tan grande como el apartamento. (The house is as big as the flat.)

Both properties share the same size, expressed through "tan...como."

Equality with nouns:

Tenemos tantas oportunidades como ellos. (We have as many opportunities as them.)

"Tantas" agrees with the feminine plural noun "oportunidades."

Inequality with adjectives:

Este libro es más emocionante que el otro. (This book is more exciting than the other one.)

A simple comparison showing greater excitement in one book.

Inequality with de lo que:

Gana más de lo que pensaba. (He/She earns more than he/she thought.)

The verb "pensaba" triggers "de lo que."

Irregular comparatives:

La situación es peor que antes. (The situation is worse than before.)

"Peor" stands alone without "más."

bookmarkSummary

Key Points to Remember:

"Tan" with adjectives/adverbs, "tanto" with nouns – and "tanto" must agree in gender and number
If a verb follows your comparison, always use "de lo que" instead of just "que"
Irregular comparatives (mejor, peor, mayor, menor) never combine with más or menos
These structures are excellent for sophisticated writing – use them in argumentative essays to compare viewpoints
Check your agreements carefully – "tanto/a(s)" matching the noun is a frequent exam trap

Comparative Constructions (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes