Table of Contents
1. Comparison Explained
Comparison is used when we want to compare two or more things, people, or ideas. It helps us express whether one thing is equal, greater, or lesser than another. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.
Positive Degree: The positive degree is used to describe a noun or an adjective without making a comparison. It states a fact without comparing it to anything else.
Example: The cat is fast.
Comparative Degree: The comparative degree is used to compare two things, stating that one has more or less of a quality than the other.
Example: The cheetah is faster than the cat.
Superlative Degree: The superlative degree is used to compare three or more things, stating that one has the highest or lowest degree of a quality.
Example: The cheetah is the fastest animal.
2. Structure of Comparisons
To form comparisons, we use different structures depending on the length and nature of the adjective or adverb.
Short Adjectives/Adverbs: For short adjectives and adverbs, we add the suffixes “-er” for comparative and “-est” for superlative.
Example:
- Positive: fast
- Comparative: faster
- Superlative: fastest
Long Adjectives/Adverbs: For long adjectives and adverbs, we use “more” for comparative and “most” for superlative.
Example:
- Positive: beautiful
- Comparative: more beautiful
- Superlative: most beautiful
Irregular Comparisons: Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees.
Example:
- Positive: good
- Comparative: better
- Superlative: best
Good – Better – Best
Example: John is a good basketball player, but Tom is even better. However, Sarah is the best player on the team.Bad – Worse – Worst
Example: The weather today is bad, but it was worse yesterday. I think tomorrow will be the worst day of all.Far – Farther – Farthest (for physical distance)
Example: The supermarket is far from my house, but the park is even farther. However, the beach is the farthest location from here.Far – Further – Furthest (for metaphorical distance)
Example: I need to study further to understand this topic. Mary went furthest in the competition by achieving the highest score.Little – Less – Least
Example: I have a little money, but my friend has less. However, Sarah has the least amount of money among all of us.Many/Much – More – Most
Example: I have many books, but John has more. However, Lisa has the most books out of all of us.
3. Usage and Examples
Now, let’s explore how to use comparisons in sentences with some examples.
Comparing Two Things
When comparing two things, we use the comparative degree.
Example:
- The elephant is bigger than the mouse.
- She runs faster than her brother.
Comparing Three or More Things
When comparing three or more things, we use the superlative degree.
Example:
- The blue whale is the largest animal in the world.
- This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
Comparing Equal Qualities
When two things have an equal quality, we use the word “as” followed by the adjective or adverb.
Example:
- He is as tall as his brother.
- She sings as beautifully as a bird.
Comparing Inequality
When two things have an unequal quality, we use the word “than” after the comparative degree.
Example:
- Her car is faster than mine.
- This movie is more exciting than the previous one.
4. FAQs
Yes, some adjectives have irregular forms, like “good” (comparative: better, superlative: best). You will come across these irregular forms as you learn more vocabulary.
No, comparisons are used with adjectives and adverbs. Nouns cannot be compared in the same way.
Short adjectives typically use “-er” for comparative and “-est” for superlative. Long adjectives use “more” for comparative and “most” for superlative.
Yes, there are other ways to express comparison, such as using “as…as” or “not as…as” to show equality or inequality.
Yes, comparisons are commonly used in both formal and informal writing. They help provide a clear and vivid description of the subject.
