How to write a comparison of two options in English (B1 pre-intermediate): same criteria, clear limits and a recommendation

To compare two options in English, pick three criteria that matter to your reader and measure both options the same way: price with price, space with space. Use comparatives (“cheaper than”) for differences, as … as for equal points and whereas to set two figures side by side. Add one limit with too many, too much or not enough, then recommend for a named reader instead of naming a universal winner. This guide is for adults at B1 (pre-intermediate, A2–B1); 10 minutes a day is enough.

Who this is for

Adults at pre-intermediate level who know “cheaper” and “bigger” but whose comparisons read like two separate lists.
Anyone who has to choose between two venues, suppliers, flats or courses and explain the choice in an English email or report.
Learners preparing for a writing task that asks them to compare two options and recommend one.
Too early: if “cheaper than” and “How many…?” still feel new, practise comparatives and countable nouns at A2 level first.
Too easy: if you already compare options with figures and a clear recommendation, move on to the B2 article on proposing a trial and measuring its results.

Open the sample pages

Word cards

same measure

compare price with price, capacity with capacity, and time with time

Room A costs £240; Room B costs £315.

minimum need

identify the number or quality that is enough for the purpose

They need at least 36 chairs and two accessible toilets.

trade-off and opinion

notice what improves, what becomes worse, and which need matters most

The larger room is more expensive but gives the group enough space.

Conversation

maya We have thirty-six confirmed participants for Saturday. Market Room costs £240 and Harbour Room costs £315.

owen Seventy-five pounds more is a lot. Is Harbour Room much bigger?

maya Yes. Market Room has 32 chairs; Harbour Room has 45. We need at least 36, and four people may still book.

owen Could Market Room add chairs?

maya Only if we remove two tables. Then there won’t be enough table space for the map activity.

owen What about access and equipment?

maya Harbour has two accessible toilets and a projector in the price. Market has one accessible toilet, and projector hire is £48.

owen So the real difference is only £27. Harbour is more comfortable and large enough even if four more people come.

maya I agree. We can save money by ordering a little less coffee; last time we had twelve litres left.

owen Book Harbour Room, then. I’ll send the participants an update today, well before the deadline.

Language pattern

What structure helps a reader decide?

Introduce the two comparable options, compare the same criteria with figures or examples, explain quantity limits, and finish with a recommendation for a named need.

The model compares like with like and makes a conditional recommendation instead of naming an unsupported universal winner.

Both…
whereas
more…than
as…as
too much/many
not enough
For people who…

More practice

Two lunch breaks, four weeks later

Two adults comparing delivery and venue figures for work.

TWO LUNCH BREAKS, FOUR WEEKS LATER

A design company offered its 184 employees two voluntary lunchtime programmes for four weeks. Group A joined a 30-minute guided walk three days a week. Group B used a new quiet room for reading or rest. Both groups completed a short survey before and after the trial.

The walking group began with 72 people, but only 58 attended at least eight walks. Their average afternoon-energy score rose from 6.1 to 7.4 out of ten. Sixty-eight per cent said they felt less stressed, although 14 people complained that the route was too crowded near the market. Several wanted a slower group because the guide sometimes walked too quickly.

The quiet-room group had 64 regular users. Their average energy score rose less, from 6.0 to 6.6, but 81 per cent said they returned to work feeling calmer. The room had only 20 seats. At 12:30 it was not large enough, and employees sometimes waited outside. After the company added a second session at 1:15, the room was as quiet as before but much less crowded.

Neither programme is the single “best” choice. Walking produced the bigger change in energy; quiet time helped a higher percentage relax. The company will continue both. It will create two walking speeds and keep the two room sessions, because different employees need different kinds of break.

Write a structured comparison

RIVER DESK OR STATION HUB?

Our team tested two coworking spaces for a month. River Desk costs £145 per person, whereas Station Hub costs £170. Both include fast internet and meeting rooms.

Station Hub is closer to public transport: it is two minutes from the station, compared with twelve minutes for River Desk. It also has six meeting rooms, twice as many as River Desk. However, there are too many calls in its open area after lunch, and the quiet zone has only eight seats. It is not large enough for our 14-person team.

River Desk is quieter and has enough desks for everyone. Its internet is as reliable as Station Hub’s, but the walk from the station is longer.

For colleagues who meet clients every day, Station Hub is more convenient. For our whole team, River Desk is the better choice because it is cheaper, quieter, and large enough.

What structure helps a reader decide?

Introduce the two comparable options, compare the same criteria with figures or examples, explain quantity limits, and finish with a recommendation for a named need.

The model compares like with like and makes a conditional recommendation instead of naming an unsupported universal winner.

Both…
whereas
more…than
as…as
too much/many
not enough
For people who…

Learn this unit

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A free account opens one unit for good.

Compare like with like: three criteria, one measure

A comparison helps someone decide only when both options are measured the same way. Take two options a real person is choosing between, pick three criteria that matter to them, and give a figure for both options under each one.

Same measure: “Room A costs £240; Room B costs £315.”
Minimum need: “They need at least 36 chairs and two accessible toilets.”
Trade-off: “The larger room is more expensive but gives the group enough space.”

Comparatives, as … as and whereas

Short adjectives and those ending in -y add -er (cheaper, easier, bigger); longer ones take more (more expensive). Good and bad become better and worse. To show the size of a difference, put much or a little before the comparative, never very. Use as … as for equal points and not as … as for a weaker one. Both introduces what the options share; whereas sets two figures side by side. In speech, than and as are weak: /ðən/, /əz/.

“The second room is much bigger and only a little more expensive.”
“The van is as reliable as the bike, but it does not arrive as quickly.”
“Park Gym costs £35 a month, whereas City Fitness costs £49.”

Limits: too many, too much, not enough

Limits often decide the choice, so include one. Too many goes with plural nouns, too much with uncountable nouns. Enough comes before a noun but after an adjective. A few and a little mean a small but useful amount; few and little mean almost none.

“There are too many energy drinks and too much sugar.”
“The smaller office has enough desks for everyone.”
“It is not large enough for our 14-person team.”
“We have a few spare bottles, but few walkers brought hats.”

A short conversation: is the larger room worth it?

Two colleagues are choosing a room for a workshop. Listen for “Seventy-five pounds more”, “much bigger” and the minimum, “at least 36”. Later they find that Market Room charges £48 for a projector that Harbour Room includes, so the real difference is only £27.

Maya We have thirty-six confirmed participants for Saturday. Market Room costs £240 and Harbour Room costs £315.

Owen Seventy-five pounds more is a lot. Is Harbour Room much bigger?

Maya Yes. Market Room has 32 chairs; Harbour Room has 45. We need at least 36, and four people may still book.

Learn this unit your way

A model comparison: 130–160 words

Use four moves: introduce both options, compare three criteria with figures, explain one limit, and recommend for a named reader.

“I tried two gyms near our office for two weeks. Park Gym costs £35 a month, whereas City Fitness costs £49. Both open at 6 a.m. and have showers. City Fitness is closer: it is a three-minute walk, compared with ten minutes for Park Gym. It also has twice as many classes. However, it is too crowded after work. At six o’clock there are not enough free machines, and the changing room is not big enough. Park Gym is quieter and has enough space for everyone. Its trainers are as friendly as the ones at City Fitness, but the walk is longer. For colleagues who train at lunchtime, City Fitness is more convenient. For those who train after work, Park Gym is the better choice because it is cheaper, quieter and less crowded.”

Before you finish, ask who would choose the other option, and why.

Common mistakes

Each has an easy fix:

“more cheaper”, “more bigger”. Use one form: “cheaper”, “bigger”, “more expensive”.
“very bigger”. Say “much bigger”.
“as big than”. Equality takes as … as: “as big as”.
“too much chairs”, “enough big”. Say “too many chairs”, “big enough”.
Mixing measures: one room’s price against the other’s size. Compare price with price.

A 10-minute daily practice routine

Pick two real options from your week, such as two phones or two routes to work.

2 minutes: play the conversation and repeat each line.
3 minutes: note three criteria with a figure for each option, plus one limit.
3 minutes: write 130–160 words in the four moves.
2 minutes: read it aloud. Does every number have a unit?

What comes next

Once you can compare two options today, look ahead: write a forecast that links evidence to action, then a first-day guide that separates rules from choices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you write a comparison paragraph in English?

Introduce both options, compare the same three criteria with figures, add one limit, and end with a recommendation for a named reader: “For people who train after work, Park Gym is the better choice.”

What is the difference between too much and too many?

Too many goes with plural nouns (“too many people”), too much with uncountable nouns (“too much noise”). For a shortage, use not enough with both: “not enough chairs”, “not enough space”.

Where does enough go in an English sentence?

Before a noun but after an adjective or adverb: “enough chairs”, “large enough”, “quickly enough”.