komountain  +  181279 Tue, 10 Jan 06 09:07 PM Hi. Which sounds better, long or longer and difficult or more difficult? 1. [Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long/longer life as compared to other insects.] 2. [This question is difficult/more difficult as compared to the previous one.] With #2, I'd definitely go for 'more difficult' but with #1 'long' would not be a bad idea, would it?  I'd like someone to confirm this. Thanks. komountain Joined on Mon, Nov 8 2004 Full Member 269

	Dj Bueno  +  181306 Tue, 10 Jan 06 10:53 PM 1. longer 2. more difficult Dj Bueno Joined on Mon, Jul 18 2005 Senior Member 2,087 Gulyabani vardır, korkacak bir şey yoktur.

	paco2004  +  181330 Wed, 11 Jan 06 12:48 AM I'd say : 1. Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long life compared with other insects. 2. This question is difficult compared with the previous one. Let me take the 2nd as the example. "This question is difficult" is a complete sentence in itself and "(as)(it is) compared with/to" is nothing but a sentential adverbial phrase/clause to say how the statement in the sentence is deduced. paco paco2004 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English. Clauses

	CalifJim  +  181388 Wed, 11 Jan 06 05:15 AM 1.  long 2.  difficult Without "than" to introduce the comparison group there is no reason to use "longer" or "more difficult".  Comparison in itself does not automatically require a comparative form in the adjective or adverb. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,458 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Verbs, Adverbs

	Prosignia  +  370510 Fri, 25 May 07 10:53 PM I notice that you remove "as" from the original post. Both original sentences use "as compared to". I copy them here: 1. [Many people believe that cicadas live for a short period of time, but they actually live a long/longer life as compared to other insects.] 2. [This question is difficult/more difficult as compared to the previous one.] But I also find such a sentence as follow from New York Times: In the United States today, fewer than 500 babies are born with the infection each year, as compared with nearly 2,000 four years ago. (quotes: http://www.nytimes.com/specials/women/warchive/970908_2357.html) Are there any reson that "as" is added or removed? Thanks Prosignia Joined on Fri, May 25 2007 New Member 30

	CalifJim  +  370560 Sat, 26 May 07 01:36 AM Welcome to English Forums! There's no grammatical reason, no.  You can add "as" or not.  Personally, I leave it out. CJ CalifJim