Express the Same Ideas with Different Grammar III - Kenneth | Learn English at EnglishCafe

This is the third in a series of posts looking at how different English structures can express the same idea.  

Comparative Form Variations

When using the comparative form it is possible to use the negative phrase 'isn't as + adjective + as' to indicate the same meaning. Notice that when using the comparative in this negative manner, the comparative adjective (better, more interesting, happier, etc.) is not used. For example:

Peter is a better tennis player than Tom.

->

Tom isn't as good at tennis as Peter.

New York is more expensive than Portland.  

->

Portland isn't as expensive as Portland.

Use of Adjectives with 'ing' or 'ed'

It often possible to change a sentence using the alternate adjective form ending in either 'ing' or 'ed'. Remember that adjectives ending in 'ing' describe the effect something has on someone. Adjectives ending in 'ed' describe how someone feels about something. Here are some examples:

They were bored by that movie.

->

That moving was very boring in their opinion.

Jason was an exciting speaker.

->

I was excited to hear Jason speak.

Active Voice to Passive Voice

Changing from active voice to passive voice often expresses the same ideas as well. The passive voice is generally chosen when the action performed was more important than who performed the action. For this reason, the passive voice is especially effective for describing what is done to something in a process. For example:

We manufacture computer chips at this plant.

->

Computer chips are manufactured at this plant.

People around the world study English every day.

->

English is studied every day around the world.

Too / Enough

The modifiers 'too' and 'enough' can be used interchangeably when using opposite adjectives (high - low / hot - cold, etc.) 'Too' is used in positive sentences, while 'enough' is used in negative sentences and questions. Remember that 'too' is placed before the adjective, while 'enough' is placed following the adjective. For example:

The tea was too hot to drink.

->

The tea wasn't cool enough to drink.

The tickets were too expensive to purchase.

->

The tickets weren't cheap enough for me to buy.