Using Comparisons



Using Comparisons

You can use modifiers to compare two or more things. There are three forms, or degrees, of comparison.

Making Comparisons

The basic form of an adjective or adverb

Modifies one person, thing, or action.

Our vacation was expensive.

The comparative form compares two.

Our hotel bills were costlier than our transportation bills.

The superlative form compares three or more.

Of all our expenses, food was the most exorbitant.

Regular Comparisons

Most modifiers change in regular ways to show comparisons.

Regular Forms of Comparison

Rule

Base Form

Comparison

Superlative

For one-syllable words, and most two-syllable words, add-er or -est

rich

richer

richest

Some two-syllable words use more or most.

secrete

more secrete

most secrete

For most three-syllable words and adverbs ending in-ly, use more and most.

populous rapidly

more populous rapidly

most populous rapidly

 

POSITIVE                               COMPARATIVE                                      SUPERLATIVE

nice                                               nicer                                                nicest

tall                                                taller                                                tallest

white                                            whiter                                               whitest

lazy                                              lazier                                                laziest

tiny                                              tinier                                                 tiniest

thrilling                                      more thrilling                                   most thrilling

bored                                        more bored                                      most bored

wonderful                                  more wonderful                               most wonderful

beautiful                                   more beautiful                                 most beautiful

pretty                                      more pretty                                     most prettier

naughty                                  more naughty                                  most naughty

Example: When comparing one person thing to all others, use the comparative form.

→He is better at remembering dates than any other students in the class.

To show a negative comparison, you can use the word less or least with most modifiers.

→I’m less likely to get homesick than my sister. I’m the least likely person to get homesick of anyone I know.

Less refers only to amounts or quantity. To describe numbers of things that can be counted, use fewer.

→my grandparents had fewer opportunities in the 1950s because they had less education.

Irregular Comparisons

Some modifiers from comparatives and superlatives in unique ways.

Common Irregular Comparisons

Base form

Comparatives

Superlatives

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst

well

better

best

many

more

most

much

more

most


Why it Matters in Writing

Often, the strongest and clearest way a writer can communicate ideas to readers is by comparing one subject to another, whether the writing is about a thing or a feeling.

PROFESSIONAL MODEL

Never will I forget being eye-level with the crust of the largest, juiciest, most delectable piece of blueberry pie I’ve ever seen. The pie rose like a purple mountain only a foot from my face, and it completely obliterated all other thoughts I had. As I recall, its appearance was far better than its taste; yet it still gleams brighter in my memory than all of the lovely lakes we saw on our trip.




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