Advanced English Grammar

Prepositions of Comparison

The prepositions of comparison help us to separate, or distinguish, between two or more ideas, people, things, etc., and so on.

The list below contains samples for a better understanding. I recommend looking over the list and doing the exercise that follows.

AFTER = similar or comparable to

This artist’s work is after the style of the cubists' movement.

AGAINST = A. contrasting with B. compared with

A. That picture would look better against a dark background.
B. Look at this schedule against last year’s; it was so much better last year.

BELOW = less, or fewer, than

That shop is going out of business, they are selling things below cost.

BESIDE = compared with

Beside her sister she's not the least bit talented.

BETWEEN = differentiating

She cant tell the difference between blue and green because She's color-blind.

LIKE = similar to

You've gotten so tan, you look like an Egyptian.

NEAR = approaching / similar to

No one can come near him when it comes to Math's.

OVER = more than, a greater number or amount, than

He's got over ten thousand coins in his collection.

UNDER = less, or fewer, than

The Communist Party got under a thousand votes in the election.

UNLIKE = not similar to

That puppy looks unlike either of its parents.

Prepositions of Comparison exercise

1. This artist's work is ___ the great masters of the Renaissance.
2. We feed ____ three thousand pupils every day at lunchtime.
3. ___ you, I did my homework for all of our classes.
4. You were fooled again? No one comes ___ your naivety.
5. ____ great poets, your work is not that bad.
6. Some children have difficulties learning ___ right and left.
7. You won't pass if you get ____ 65% on your exam.
8. ___ last year's numbers; we are doing much better this year.
9. He won the race easily, no one was even ___ him.
10. With that long hair, he looked ___ a woman.

For more information about prepositions of comparison click on the preceding link.

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