The chip is more economical than a dedicated system.
Kondex is bigger than Gartex in terms of sales.
You can also use not as … as or not so … as to compare things (see 2.128).
Our factories are still not as efficient as the car plants in Japan.
Traditional forms of advertising are not as effective as they used to be.
emphasizing degrees of difference
You can use much, a lot or far in front of comparative adjective forms to emphasize a big difference.
Manufacturers are much more cautious than before about investment plans.
The job provides her with a far greater challenge than ordinary office work would.
You can use slightly, a bit or a little to emphasize small differences.
The first-quarter increase was slightly higher at 1.2 %.
If anything, European and Pacific Rim executives are a little more aggressive than the Japanese.
To emphasize small differences with the not as … as structure you can add quite.
But by other measures, oil is not quite as expensive as it seems.
Linking ideas
You can show what sort of connection there is between one sentence and another by using sentence connectors. In a presentation, these connectors prepare the listener for what is coming next.
adding strength to your argument
Connectors such as on top of that and at the same time can be used to add strength to your argument. In writing, or in more formal situations, you can use moreover or furthermore (see 10.49).
The financial crisis continues. On top of that, exceptional weather has devastated crops.
Unemployment has grown rapidly. At the same time, there is low demand for existing skills.
Experts predict that the downturn will be less severe than expected. Furthermore, banks plan to lend more freely in the next three months.
contrast
You use connectors like however, on the other hand, or nevertheless when you want to give another point of view (see 10.51).
If you want job security, this is not the post for you. On the other hand, the salary is good.
There was a fall in sales last month. However, revenue from digital products rose by nearly 20% in the first half.
It is necessary for foreign currency traders to think quickly and accurately. Nevertheless, mistakes do occasionally occur.
cause and effect
When you want to show that the fact or situation you are mentioning is a result of what you have just referred to, you can begin your statement using a connector like so or as a result. If you want to sound more formal you can use consequently or therefore (see 10.52).
Another 3,100 jobs were lost last year. So people no longer trust the company.
We lost sight of what our customers wanted. As a result, sales slumped.
Confidence is still low. Consequently, firms are not willing to make new investments.
Distancing yourself
the passive
You use the passive when you want to focus on actions, views and decisions, rather than on the people responsible for them (see 9.8 to 9.24). It is frequently used in reports, and it is more common in written English.
In 2006, 18.3 % of the world’s electricity was produced using renewable sources.
When materials were coated in the substance, the plating remained stable at room temperature.
The passive is often used to describe processes with adjuncts like first, second, then, and finally to indicate order (see 10.54).
First, the raw data is collated in tables, It is then prepared for processing. Finally, the data model is produced.
Meetings
Interrupting
can, could
When you are participating in a meeting you can use can I and could I to interrupt politely. Could is more polite than can.
Can I ask a question here?
Could I just interrupt here for a minute?
Making suggestions
Can and could are also used for making suggestions.
Could we maybe develop a new payment system?
Can we ask Network Solutions to help?
To sound more persuasive you can use a negative question.
Couldn’t we ask them to come in for a demonstration?
Can’t we do this later?
Let’s …, Why don’t we …
You can also use Let’s … and Why don’t we … to make suggestions.
Let’s call it a day.
Why don’t we move on to the next point on the agenda.
Making requests
Can you …?, Could you …?
You can use Can you … or Could you … to ask someone to do something. Could is more polite than can.
Can you summarize the main points, please?
Could you explain that again?
Would you mind …
The phrase Would you mind following by the -ing form is also used to make polite requests.
Would you mind going back to the previous graphic?
Would you mind just waiting a minute while I answer that?
conditional sentences
Various conditional sentences can also be used in questions to direct a meeting in a polite way.
Would it be all right if we go over that again?
Is it okay if we leave this till later?
Do you mind if we start with a few introductions, please?
Would you mind if I investigate this a little further?