Comparing Numbers: A note on no más que versus no más de

• No más que is not an actual comparison; it is used when the speaker is stating the exact number, and perhaps emphasizing the smallness of the number:
  • En Metropolis no hay más que tres cines.
    • In Metropolis there are a mere three moviehouses (you'd think there'd be more).
• No más de actually compares (negatively) the given number and the actual number, stating that the actual number is not greater, and allowing for the possibility that it might be less.
  • En Smallville no hay más de tres cines.
    • In Smallville there are no more than three moviehouses (and perhaps there are less).