Comparison

Comparison
There are times in writing when a comparison is necessary. A description gives the
reader specific details in order to provide them with an image. Making a comparison is
another way of providing the reader with imagery within a descriptive narrative. The
usage of both comparison and description helps in to keep the reader engaged with the
text. Comparative sentences contain adjectives and adverbs that tend to end in er !est
or have the words "more# and "most#. As a refresher adjectives describe a noun or
pronouns$ while adverbs describe a verb adjective or other adverb. The %tandard
&nglish language has different forms that coincide with the endings er !est and the
words "more# and "most#. %ome common mistakes with the construction of comparative
sentences are not finishing the comparison or trying to compare things that should not
be compared. This may seem simple enough but there are some exceptions and things
to note.
Comparison of absolutes
A comparison of absolutes is the opposite of what it seems because the object of the
sentence is not being compared. Although there are times when a comparison is
needed there are also times when a description is more practical. This is known as a
comparison of absolutes because there is no comparison. The adjective or adverb
remains in its base form in what is known as the positive degree. Consider the following
sentences'
The old i(od is big.
Mary speaks highly of the iTouch.
The words big and highly are an adjective and an adverb formed in the positive degree.
There is no illustration of comparison.
Adjectives and adverbs which can not be compared
Along these same lines there are some adjectives and adverbs that can not be
compared. )or example something can not be "more complete#$ it is either complete or
it is not. *n most cases the words "nearly# or "almost# can be used instead. These words
suggest a near absolute state as in "My homework was almost complete when the
phone rang.#
Incomplete Comparisons
A comparative sentence must clearly identify all the items that are being compared. This
will help to ensure the comparison is complete. Complete comparative sentences also
help to strengthen the delivery and clarification of the comparison. +elow are some
examples'
*ncomplete Comparison' My car is newer than his.
Complete Comparison' My car is newer than his car.
Comparative sentences often use the words "more# and "most#. ,hen the situation calls
for the usage of these words "than# and "that# must also be used.
Consider the following sentences'
*ncomplete' My car is more new.
Complete' My car is more new than his car.
Consider it something that must be balanced. The concept is similar to solving a math
e-uation$ whatever is done to one side must also be done to the other. *n writing any
time the words "more# or "most# are being used "than# and "that# must also be used.
Double Comparatives
A double comparative is a sentence that compares two things. )orming adjectives and
adverbs in the comparative degree can be a little tricky. Adjectives in the comparative
degree end in !er such as newer in the previous sentence "My car is newer than his
.
car.#. Adverbs that end in !ly use "more# instead to form the comparative degree as in
more highly in the sentence "Mary speaks more highly of the iTouch than the i(od.#.
The most common error with double comparatives is the usage of both the !er ending
and the word "more#. These sentences generally sound awkward when read out loud.
Consider the following sentence'
"Mary speaks more highlier of the iTouch than the i(od.#
*n this case it would be best to remove the !er and use the adverb in its comparative
degree. /ow reconsider the sentence'
"Mary speaks more highly of the iTouch than the i(od.#
Double Superlatives
Adjectives and adverbs in the superlative degree are similar to the comparative degree
but use the !est ending and the word "most# instead. *n addition the article "the# must be
placed before the adjective or adverb in the sentence. Comparative sentences using the
superlative degree are saying that something is the most when compared to the rest of
the group. Consider the following sentences'
0ustin is the fastest runner on the track team.
Mr. Copeland spoke the most highly of 0uan than the other interview candidates.
1enerally speaking the superlative degree is used when something is being compared
to three or more things.
A common mistake with double superlatives is using both the ending !est and the word
"most# in the same sentence. &rrors with double superlatives can also be identified when
the sentence by reading the sentence out loud. )or example the prior sentence would
be incorrect if it was written as follows'
"0ustin is the most fastest runner on the track team.#
*t would be best to remove "most# and keep fastest in the superlative degree.
Superlatives: misuse of more
Another common mistake of placing an adjective or adverb in the superlative degree is
using the word "more#. The word "more# implies a comparison between two things.
Consider the following sentence'
"The entire track team is fast but that runner is the more consistent than the rest of the
runners.#
%ince the sentence is comparing one person to a team of people then the correct word
to use is "most#. 2econsider the sentence'
"The entire track team is fast but that runner is the most consistent than the rest of the
runners.#
Dos and donts when using more and most:
3on4t use more or most when the phrasing sounds awkward.
3o use !er5!est with one! and two!syllable words and more5most with words that have
three or more syllables.
3on4t use !er and more or !est and most together.
3o use either !er5!est or more5most.
ules for !a"ing Comparisons
. *f the adjective 6describing word7 is one syllable you can add !er.
)or example small smaller$ big bigger$ nice nicer.
8 *f the adjective has two syllables but ends in !y you can change the end to !ier.
)or example lucky luckier$ happy happier.
9 ,ith other &nglish adjectives of two syllables and more you can:t change their
endings. *nstead you should use more ; adjective.
)or example handsome more handsome$ beautiful more beautiful and so on.
< ,hen you compare two things use :than:.
8
=%he:s younger than me.=
=This exercise is more difficult than the last one.=
> ,hen you want to say something is similar use :as as:.
)or example =%he:s as tall as her brother= or =*t:s as nice today as it was yesterday.=
? ,hen you want to say one thing is less than another you can either use :less than: or
:not as as:.
)or example =This programme is less interesting than * thought= or =This programme is
not as interesting as * thought.=
@ 2emember that some adjectives are irregular and change form when you make
comparisons.
)or example good better$ bad worse$ far further.
#sing $ualif%ing e&pressions
Aou can vary the strength of the comparison by using =-ualifying= expressions.
.. Comparing two things
Aou can use =a lot= =much= =a little= =slightly= and =far= before =more 5 less than='
=%he:s a lot more intelligent than him.=
=This car is much faster than the other one.=
=They are much less wealthy than they used to be.=
=Be:s a little taller than his sister.=
=%he:s slightly less interested in football than him.
=,e are far more involved in charity than they are.=
,hen you use these -ualifying expressions in &nglish remember the rules about using
!er. *f the adjective is one syllable or ends in !y add !er'
=Be:s far taller than her.= 6/CT =Be:s far more tallerD=7
=*:m much laEier than youF=
,hen the adjective is two syllables and more you need either =more= or =less='
=Be:s a little more prepared for the exam than she is.= 6/CT =Be:s a little preparederD=7
'( Sa%ing how two things are similar
Aou can use =almost as D as= =not -uite as D as= =6not7 nearly as D as= =nowhere
near as D as= =twice as D as= and =half as D as= to change the extent of the similarity.
=%he:s almost as good as youF=
=Be:s not -uite as confident as %usie.=
=*:m not nearly as intelligent as herF=
=This painting is nowhere near as famous as the first.=
=%he:s twice as old as himF
=Be:s half as interesting as youF=
)i"e or As(
This is another instance where a simple rule will help you to make sense of something
that many people still get wrong. Gike is a preposition which means that it can come
before a noun but it should not come before a whole clause containing a verb. As is a
conjunction and can be used before a clause containing a verb.
As * told you the car was parked behind a tree.
,e could take a trip to the coast just like old times.
As we thought the weather was awful.
*n formal academic text you should avoid using :like: in a sentence like this one.
*t looks like it is going to rain.
The hero feels like he is the most powerful man on earth.
Be looks like he has had a rough night.
*t is better to substitute :like: with :as if:
*t looks as if it is going to rain.
The hero feels as if he is the most powerful man on earth.
9
Be looks as if he has had a rough night.
*hen listing things that are similar it is better to avoid +li"e+ and use +such as+:
The hero has many engaging -ualities like courage kindness and compassion.
The hero has many engaging -ualities such as courage kindness and compassion.
* have visited many tropical countries like *ndia %ri Ganka Thailand Malaysia and
+runei.
* have visited many tropical countries such as *ndia %ri Ganka Thailand Malaysia and
+runei.
*n this country we eat a lot of junk food like chips hamburgers and other rubbish.
*n this country we eat a lot of junk food such as chips hamburgers and other rubbish.
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