Comparison with 比 (5)

In a 比 comparison where the verb takes a complement of state, 比 may stand either before the verb or after it.

The rule

Form 1: A + 比 + B + verb + 得 + state

Form 2: A + verb + 得 + 比 + B + state

Both forms express the same comparison.

昨(Zuó)天(tiān)比(bǐ)今(jīn)天(tiān)下(xià)得(de)大(dà)。

It rained harder yesterday than today.

昨天 + 比 + 今天 + 下得大 yesterday + than today + fell harder

昨(zuó)天(tiān)yesterday

比(bǐ)今(jīn)天(tiān)than today

下(xià)fall

得(de)大(dà)heavily

Here 比 stands before the verb.

妈(Mā)妈(ma)比(bǐ)我(wǒ)睡(shuì)得(de)晚(wǎn)。

Mum goes to bed later than I do.

妈妈 + 比 + 我 + 睡得晚 Mum + than me + sleeps late

妈(mā)妈(ma)Mum

比(bǐ)我(wǒ)than me

睡(shuì)sleep

得(de)晚(wǎn)late

Here too 比 stands before the verb.

李(Lǐ)文(Wén)跑(pǎo)得(de)比(bǐ)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)快(kuài)。

Li Wen runs faster than Bai Jiayue.

李文 + 跑得 + 比 + 白家月 + 快 Li Wen + runs + than Bai Jiayue + fast

李(Lǐ)文(Wén)Li Wen

跑(pǎo)得(de)runs

比(bǐ)白(Bái)家(Jiā)月(yuè)than Bai Jiayue

快(kuài)fast

Here 比 comes after the verb, that is after 跑得.

When the verb takes 得 plus a state, 比 can sit in either of two places.

A + 比 + B + verb + 得 + state or A + verb + 得 + 比 + B + state

昨天比今天下得大。— It rained harder yesterday than today. 妈妈比我睡得晚。— Mum goes to bed later than I do. 李文跑得比白家月快。— Li Wen runs faster than Bai Jiayue.