Business English A2 · Lesson 4A

Grammar Bank

The rules behind this lesson — form, use, model sentences and the mistakes to avoid.

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Grammar focus of this lesson

Quantifiers & comparatives with prices

2 structures

How much / how many · a lot of
Asking and answering about quantity.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›How many + countable plural: How many people?
- ›How much + uncountable: How much time?
- ›a lot of / lots of work with both; much / many mainly in negatives and questions.
- ›a few + countable · a little + uncountable.
Examples
- “How much does it cost?”
- “How many emails do you get a day?”
- “We have a lot of work but only a little time.”
Watch out · In positive sentences prefer a lot of: I have many works ✗.
Your own example
Comparatives
Comparing two people, things or options.
I've got this
Rules & form
- ›Short adjectives: + er → cheaper, bigger, easier.
- ›Long adjectives: more + adjective → more expensive.
- ›Irregular: good → better · bad → worse · far → further.
- ›Use than: cheaper than this one.
Examples
- “This supplier is cheaper than the other one.”
- “The new system is more reliable.”
- “Their service is better but slower.”
Watch out · more cheaper ✗ — one comparative form only.
Your own example