Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
The basic comparison pattern
The most common N4 use is A は B ほど adjective-negative ない. B is the standard. The sentence means A does not reach the degree of B.
Target signal
この町は東京ほどにぎやかではありません。
This town is not as lively as Tokyo.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ではありません
- is not; am not; are not
- にぎやか
- lively; bustling
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Compare in context
今年の冬は去年ほど寒くないです。
This winter is not as cold as last year.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ないで
- without doing; instead of doing
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
- ない
- not; there is not
Compare in context
電車はバスほど遅くありません。
The train is not as slow as the bus.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- バス
- bus
Section 2 of 3
ほど with what you expected
You will also see ほど after expressions like 思った or 心配した. It often means “not as much as I expected” or “to the extent that…”. At this level, learn the comparison meaning first.
Target signal
試験は思ったほどむずかしくありませんでした。
The test was not as difficult as I expected.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- でした
- was; were (polite)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Preview
その映画は聞いたほど長くなかったです。
That movie was not as long as I had heard.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- いた
- was there
- その
- that
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are
Preview
心配したほど悪くありません。
It is not as bad as I worried it would be.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- した
- did
Section 3 of 3
Reading the direction of the comparison
When you read ほど, ask which item is the standard and which item is being measured against it. The negative predicate is the clue that the sentence means “not as … as …”.
Target signal
兄は父ほど背が高くありません。
My older brother is not as tall as my father.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- ほど
- about; approximately
Preview
この道は駅前ほど人が多くありません。
This street does not have as many people as the area in front of the station.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- この
- this
Preview
日本語の文法は漢字ほどこわくないです。
Japanese grammar is not as scary as kanji.
Notice how Comparison with ほど shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ないで
- without doing; instead of doing
- 日本語
- Japanese language
- です
- to be (polite); is; am; are