A は B ほど + Adj ない

[A Is Not As ~ As B]

Connection: A は B ほど + Adjective negative form

Used for negative comparisons. Expresses that A does not reach the same level as B in terms of a certain quality. Only used in negative sentences.

Formation:

With い-adjectives: A は B ほど + Adj くない/くありません

• 東京は大阪ほど暑くない (Tokyo is not as hot as Osaka)

With な-adjectives: A は B ほど + Adj じゃない/ではない

• 日本語は英語ほど簡単じゃない (Japanese is not as easy as English)

With verbs: A は B ほど + Verb ない

• 今日は昨日ほど寒くない (Today is not as cold as yesterday)

Usage Notes:

• ONLY used in negative sentences
• B is the higher standard being compared to
• A falls short of B's level
• Cannot be used in positive sentences

Comparison:

• A は B より Adj = A is more [adj] than B (positive comparison)
• A は B ほど Adj くない = A is not as [adj] as B (negative comparison)

Examples: 今年の夏は去年ほど暑くない。(This year's summer is not as hot as last year's.) この問題はあの問題ほど難しくない。(This problem is not as difficult as that problem.) 私は兄ほど背が高くない。(I'm not as tall as my older brother.)