My suitcase is only a bit heavier than yours.

Your suitcase mine.  ALMOST

The repairs were four times more expensive than we had planned.

The repairs cost we had planned.  MUCH

He's not half as outgoing as his sister.

His sister is he is.  FAR

The most elaborate dishes are the most difficult to cook.

The more elaborate a dish is, to cook.   MORE

The shoes were almost as expensive as the bag.

The bag the shoes.  SLIGHTLY

I'd never eaten such a bad meal before.

It was I'd ever eaten.  BY FAR

Figs have double the calories of plums.

Plums have figs.  HALF
Plums have figs.  HALF

This piece lasts 27 minutes and that one is slightly longer.

That piece only lasts than this one.  MINUTES
That piece only lasts than this one.  MINUTES