Keyword: more
Grammatical Overview
More is a fundamental comparative marker in English, functioning as both an adverb of degree and a determiner of quantity. As an adverb, it modifies multi-syllable adjectives and adverbs to form the comparative degree (He is more intelligent, She works more efficiently). As a determiner or pronoun, it is used before uncountable or plural nouns to indicate a greater amount or an additional quantity (I need more time, Give me more). It forms the backbone of contrastive structures, frequently pairing with "than" to establish direct comparisons between two entities. Beyond strict comparisons, more anchors heavily used idiomatic chunks that express progressive change, limits, or approximations, making it indispensable for expressive fluency.
🗺️ Pattern Map (Colligation & Grammar)
Pattern 1: more-adjective-than (Comparative Degree)
- Structure:
more + Adjective + than + Noun/Pronoun - Meaning: Used to compare two things, indicating that the first subject possesses a higher degree of the adjective's quality than the second. It is generally used with adjectives of two or more syllables.
- Examples:
- This sofa is more comfortable than the old one.
- She is more experienced than the other candidates.
Pattern 2: more-uncountable-noun (Greater Quantity)
- Structure:
more + Uncountable Noun - Meaning: Functions as a determiner to request, offer, or describe a larger amount of an uncountable substance or abstract concept.
- Examples:
- We need more information before making a decision.
- Try to eat more fruit and drink more water.
Pattern 3: verb-more-than (Adverbial Comparison)
- Structure:
Verb + more + than + Noun/Clause - Meaning: Modifies a verb to express that an action is performed to a greater extent, duration, or frequency compared to another action or person.
- Examples:
- He earns more than his manager.
- I slept more than ten hours last night.
Pattern 4: one-more-noun (Addition & Requests)
- Structure:
one + more + Countable Noun (Singular) - Meaning: A highly specific and frequent quantitative structure used to ask for or refer to exactly one additional item of the same type.
- Examples:
- Can I ask you one more question?
- We have time for one more game.
🧩 Key Lexical Chunks (Collocations & Idioms)
Spoken & Written Formulaic Units
- more-or-less: An adverbial phrase meaning approximately, almost completely, or roughly.
- what-is-more: A transitional phrase used to add a point that is even more important or surprising than the previous one; synonymous with "furthermore."
- no-more: A phrase indicating that a state, action, or quantity has reached its absolute limit and will not continue.
- Natural Grammar/02-Patterns/more-and-more: Used to describe a continuous, progressive increase in degree, quantity, or frequency over time.
🎴 Interactive Web Practice (10 Questions)
Practice 1: She is much ______ careful than her younger brother.
Answer:
more
Practice 2: Could I have some ______ water, please?
Answer:
more
Practice 3: He talks ______ than he listens during these meetings.
Answer:
more
Practice 4: I just need one ______ minute to finish writing this email.
Answer:
more
Practice 5: The construction of the new bridge is ______ or less finished.
Answer:
more
Practice 6: The food was terrible, and what is ______, it was incredibly expensive.
Answer:
more
Practice 7: I can take ______ more of this loud construction noise!
Answer:
no
Practice 8: It is getting more and ______ difficult to find an affordable apartment.
Answer:
more
Practice 9: This documentary is more interesting ______ the last one we watched.
Answer:
than
Practice 10: We need to hire ______ people to complete the job on time.
Answer:
more
🔗 Related Patterns & Chunks
- 🗺️ Pattern: more-adjective-than — Comparative Degree
- 🗺️ Pattern: more-uncountable-noun — Greater Quantity
- 🗺️ Pattern: verb-more-than — Adverbial Comparison
- 🗺️ Pattern: one-more-noun — Addition & Requests
- 🧩 Chunk: more-or-less — Approximately / Roughly
- 🧩 Chunk: what-is-more — Furthermore / Additionally
- 🧩 Chunk: no-more — Absolute limit reached
- 🧩 Chunk: Natural Grammar/02-Patterns/more-and-more — Progressive increase