Structure of Comparative Subordinate Clauses
Comparative subordinate clauses consist of a main clause and a subordinate clause introduced by comparative conjunctions These conjunctions can be used to compare adjectives adverbs nouns and verbs The basic structure can be broken down as followsComparing AdjectivesAdverbs
Main clause másmenos adjectiveadverb que subordinate clause
Example Ella es más alta que su hermana She is taller than her sister
Comparing Nouns
Main clause másmenos noun que subordinate clause
Example Tengo más libros que tú I have more books than you
Comparing Verbs
Main clause verb másmenos que subordinate clause
Example Trabajo más que ellos I work more than they do
Types of Comparative Clauses
Comparative clauses can be divided into several types based on what is being compared
Comparisons of Inequality
These comparisons highlight differences in degree or quantity between two elements
Structure másmenos adjectiveadverbnoun que
Example Ella corre más rápido que su hermano She runs faster than her brother
Comparisons of Equality
These comparisons highlight similarities between two elements
Structure tan adjectiveadverb como tantoaosas noun como verb tanto como
Example Ella es tan inteligente como su amigo She is as intelligent as her friend
Example Tengo tantos libros como tú I have as many books as you
Example Trabajo tanto como ellos I work as much as they do
Comparative Clauses with Verbs
These clauses compare the actions or states described by verbs
Structure verb másmenos que
Example Él estudia más que ella He studies more than she does
Common Conjunctions in Comparative Clauses
Several conjunctions are used to introduce comparative subordinate clauses
Que
Used for most comparative constructions
Example Es más caro que el otro It is more expensive than the other one
Como
Used in comparisons of equality
Example Ella es tan alta como su madre She is as tall as her mother
Examples of Comparative Subordinate Clauses
Here are more detailed examples of comparative subordinate clauses to illustrate their use in different contexts
Comparing Adjectives
Ella es más simpática que su hermana She is nicer than her sister
Este libro es menos interesante que el otro This book is less interesting than the other one
Comparing Adverbs
Juan corre más rápido que Pedro Juan runs faster than Pedro
María habla menos claramente que su profesora María speaks less clearly than her teacher
Comparing Nouns
Tengo más dinero que tú I have more money than you
Hay menos estudiantes en esta clase que en la otra There are fewer students in this class than in the other one
Comparing Verbs
Ella trabaja más que su compañero She works more than her colleague
Nosotros viajamos menos que nuestros amigos We travel less than our friends
Comparisons of Equality
Ella es tan alta como su padre She is as tall as her father
Tengo tantos problemas como tú I have as many problems as you
Él estudia tanto como su hermano He studies as much as his brother
Nuances and Special Cases
Negative Comparisons
These comparisons negate the statement
Example No soy tan joven como tú I am not as young as you
Comparative Expressions with de lo que
Used when the comparative clause involves an idea rather than a direct comparison
Example La situación es peor de lo que pensaba The situation is worse than I thought
Practical Application in Sentences
Comparative subordinate clauses can be found in various contexts from everyday conversation to formal writing Understanding their structure and use is essential for fluency in Spanish Here are more examples in different contexts
Daily Conversations
Este café es mejor que el de ayer This coffee is better than yesterdays
Ella tiene más experiencia que yo She has more experience than I do
Academic Contexts
El estudiante presentó un trabajo más completo que el anterior The student presented a more comprehensive paper than the previous one
Este experimento es tan válido como el otro This experiment is as valid as the other one
Professional Settings
Este plan es más viable que el que propusimos inicialmente This plan is more viable than the one we initially proposed
Nuestro producto es tan efectivo como el de la competencia Our product is as effective as the competitors
