What about “much” and “far” in statements making comparisons?

Question

I often read and hear such expressions as “much” and “far” being used in statements that contain comparisons between two persons, entities, objects, ideas, etc.

Examples:
• My girlfriend is much prettier than Britney Spears.
• God’s wisdom is far greater than ours.

The above-given examples, I believe, are both grammatically correct. But would it be simpler and more concise if they would be rewritten as follows?

• My girlfriend is prettier than Britney Spears.
• God’s wisdom is greater than ours.

If I still prefer to use the expressions “much” and “far,” would it be safe to interchange them, as in the following statements?

• My girlfriend is far prettier than Britney Spears.
• God’s wisdom is much greater than ours.

Canadian45 · Accepted Answer

RommelExamples:• My girlfriend is much prettier than Britney Spears. ***’s wisdom is far greater than ours.

The above-given examples, I believe, are both grammatically correct. they are But would it be simpler and more concise if they would be rewritten as follows?• My girlfriend is prettier than Britney Spears.• ***’s wisdom is greater than ours. But you lose the meanings of the omitted words. If I still prefer to use the expressions “much” and “far,” would it be safe to interchange them, as in the following statements? yes• My girlfriend is far prettier than Britney Spears.• ***’s wisdom is much greater than ours.

CalifJim · Answer

RommelIf I still prefer to use the expressions “much” and “far,” would it be safe to interchange them, as in the following statements?• My girlfriend is far prettier than Britney Spears.• ***’s wisdom is much greater than ours.

Yes, they are very similar in meaning.

Rommelwould it be simpler and more concise if they would be rewritten as follows?• My girlfriend is prettier than Britney Spears.• ***’s wisdom is greater than ours.

The meaning is different if you do that.

..... not very pretty ..........................pretty.........................................extremely pretty
1. .............................................. Britney ..... my girlfriend
2. ........Britney .......................................................................................... my girlfriend

In 1 and in 2 my girlfriend is prettier than Britney. (In both cases Britney is shown on the left of my girlfriend.)
In 2 my girlfriend is much/far prettier than Britney. (Notice the greater distance.)

CJ

What about “much” and “far” in statements making comparisons?

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