34    Adverbs - Constructions with comparisons

When the same verb is required in both clauses we normally use an auxiliary for the second verb.

A.    With the positive form we use as ... as with an affirmative verb, and as/so ... as with a negative verb:

He worked as slowly as he dared.

He doesn't snore as/so loudly as you do.

It didn't take as/so long as I expected.

B.    With the comparative form we use than:

He eats more quickly than I do/than me.

He played better than he had ever played.

They arrived earlier than I expected.

the + comparative . . . the + comparative is also possible: The earlier you start the sooner you'll be back.

C.     With the superlative it is possible to use of + noun:

He went (the) furthest of the explorers.

But this construction is not very common and such a sentence would normally be expressed by a comparative, as shown above.

A superlative (without the) + of all is quite common, but all here often refers to other actions by the same subject:

He likes swimming best of all. (better than he likes anything else) of all can then be omitted.