Comparisons of equality and inequality
EQUALITY: stating that actions, nouns, adjective/adverbs are equal when
comparing two items.
Examples in English:
1. Equal comparison using a noun: Paul reads as many books as Tim. We
watch as many movies as you.
2. Equal comparison using an adjective/adverb: The swim team works as
hard as the soccer team (adverb). I am as smart as you (adjective)
3. Equal comparison using a verb (action): You run as much as Taylor. We
talk as much as Tim.
EN ESPAÑOL:
NOUNS:
In expressions of Equality, we use Tanto/a/os/as ... como to express "as many
("things" -noun/s) as" or "as much ("stuff" noun) as": Tanto/a/os/as [noun/s]
como.
We use this expression when comparing a number or quantity of a thing or
things.
Yo tengo tantas camisas como Paolo.
I have as many shirts as Paolo.
Mi padre tiene tanto pelo como mi
abuelo.
My father has as much hair as my
grandfather.
Notice that since tanto is being used as an adjective, it must agree with whatever
thing is being compared.
ADJECTIVES/ADVERBS:
We use the expression tan.. como 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 corre tan rápidamente como
Roadrunner.
Pokey runs as quickly as Roadrunner.
Notice: since tan is an adverb it is invariable (it only has one form.) It doesn't
change the way tanto does in order to agree in number and gender.
VERBS:
When we want to say we DO something as much as another person (or thing) we
put "tanto como" together as a phrase. In this case tanto doesn't change since it
is being used as an adverb.
Fátima estudia tanto como Nancy.
Fátima studies as much as Nancy
[does].
Bailo tanto como Jennifer.
I dance as much as Jennifer [dances]
Nosotros viajamos tanto como ellos.
We travel as much as they do [as
much as they travel].
Your turn:
In groups create a minimum of 5 comparisons of equality between all the people
in your group. Be sure that you make one comparison using a noun, one using a
verb, and one using either an adjective or adverb (feel free to make comparisons
using both).