COMPARING EQUAL QUANTITIES

To compare two things that are equal, we use the pattern:

as + adjective indicating quantity + (noun) + as

The quantity adjective you use depends if the noun in the comparison is countable or uncountable.

COUNTABLE NOUNS

Use as many and as few with countable nouns. Note that the noun may be ommitted when it is understood from the context, as in the last example below.

EXAMPLES

• They have as many children as we do.
• We have as many customers asthey do.
• Tom has as few books as Jane.
• There are as few houses in his village as in mine.
• You know as many people as I do.
• I have visited the States as many times as he has.
• I have three brothers. That's as many as you have. ("brothers" is understood)

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Use as much or as little with uncountable nouns. Note that the noun may be ommitted when it is understood from the context, as in the last example below.

EXAMPLES

• John eats as much food as Peter.
• Jim has as little patience as Sam.
• You've heard as much news as I have.
• He's had as much success as his brother has.
• They've got as little water as we have.
• I'm not hungry. I've had as much asI want. ("food" is understood)