HFCC Learning Lab

Basic Grammar 3.42 Comparisons of Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation: I. FORM Adjectives and adverbs change their form to show differences in degree of quality, quantity, relation, or size. There are three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. The POSITIVE form is used to express equal degrees when comparing persons, places, or things. To show this equality, use the word as both before and after the adjective or adverb. Example (adjective): Example (adverb):

This book is as interesting as the last one I read. She dances as gracefully as a ballerina.

The COMPARATIVE form is used to express a greater (or lesser) degree when comparing two persons, places, or things. Form the comparative by adding the ending er to the positive form of onesyllable words and of some two-syllable words. With other two-syllable and all words of three or more syllables, prefix the positive form with the word more (or less). The comparative forms of the adjective or adverb is always followed by the word than. Example (adjective): The first job applicant seems less qualified than the second. Example (adverb): John prepared the assignment more carefully than Jim did. Example (adjective): The exam was tougher than the class has expected. The SUPERLATIVE form is used to express the greatest (or least) degree when comparing three or more persons, places, or things. Form the superlative by adding the ending est to the positive form of one-syllable words and of some two-syllable words. With other two-syllable words and all words of three or more syllables, prefix positive form with the word most (or least). Generally, the word the appears before superlatives. Examples (adjective): In the United States, the most common name is Smith. Example (adverb): Spencer was voted the least wisely of all council members. Example (adjective): He was the wisest of all their leaders.

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE One-syllable words: Tame tamer (Spelling: When the positive form ends in e, only r, or st, is added.)

SUPERLATIVE tamest

Fat fatter fattest (Spelling: When the positive form ends in a constant with a single vowel before it, the consonant is doubled before er or est is added.) 6/28/2010

Soon Kind

sooner kinder

soonest kindest

Two-syllable words: Narrow narrower narrowest Early earlier earliest (Spelling: When the positive form ends in y with a consonant before it, the y changes to I before er or est is added.) Honest Slowly

less honest more slowly

least honest most slowly

Three-or-more-syllable words: Necessary Comfortable Exquisite Interesting

more necessary less comfortable more exquisite less interesting

most necessary least comfortable most exquisite least interesting

Note: More, most, less, least may also be used for words of one syllable, so for many comparatives and superlatives there are two correct forms: POSITIVE Able

COMPARATIVE abler

SUPERLATIVE ablest

A few adjectives and adverbs have irregular forms: POSITIVE Bad Good Much, many Little Well

COMPARATIVE worse better more less better

SUPERLATIVE worst best most least best

Positive: He has as many problems as I have. Comparative: The chicken soup is better than the barley. Superlative: My last test was the worst of the three. In making comparisons, do not use both more and er for the comparative or both most and est for the superlative. Incorrect: My steak seems more tenderer than yours. Correct: My steak seems more tender than yours. Correct: My steak seems tenderer than yours. 6/28/2010

Incorrect: Sally is the most brightest of the three girls. Correct: Sally is the most bright of the three girls. Correct: Sally is the brightest of the three girls. II. Incomplete, Illogical, and Unclear Comparisons A. INCOMPLETE COMPARISONS result when a writer fails to mention one of the items being compared. To avoid this type of incomplete thought, clarify exactly what is being compared with what. Incomplete: The trees in California are much larger. (Than what?) Complete: The trees in California are much larger than those in Michigan. Incomplete: Complete:

She dances more gracefully. (Than whom?) She dances more gracefully than the other girls in her class.

Incomplete: Complete:

Petunias grow more rapidly in the sun. (Than where?) Petunias grow more rapidly in the sun than in the shade.

Incomplete: Complete:

Titanic is the best movie. (Of what?) Titanic is the best movie of all those nominated for the Academy Awards.

Incomplete comparisons also result when the writer fails to complete each part of a double comparison. Incomplete: Dolphins are as intelligent, if not more intelligent, than dogs. Two comparisons are indicated in this sentence: Dolphins are as intelligent as dogs. Dolphins are more intelligent than dogs. However, the omission of the second as results in a confused positive/comparative comparison: Dolphins are as intelligent than dogs. Complete: Dolphins are as intelligent as, if not more intelligent than, dogs. Incomplete: My idea is as good as, if not better, than yours. Complete: My idea is as good as, if not better than, yours. Often, the sentence will be less awkward if the second part of the comparison is shifted to the end of the sentence: My idea is as good as yours, if not better. B. ILLOGICAL COMPARISONS result when a writer compares a person with himself or a place or thing or thing with itself. Illogical: Pavarotti is greater than any tenor I have heard. Since Pavarotti is part of the group of tenor which the writer has heard, he must be excluded from the compared group by using the word other. Logical: Pavarotti is greater than any other tenor I have heard. Illogical: Detroit is larger than any city in Michigan. Logical: Detroit is larger than any other city in Michigan. 6/28/2010

In some cases, the word else rather than the word other is needed to separate the item being compared from the group with which it is compared. Illogical: My English class is more interesting than anything I am taking this year. Logical: My English class is more interesting than anything else I am taking this year. Illogical: He is faster than anyone. Logical: He is faster than anyone else. The words other and else are not used with the superlative when comparing three or more persons, places, or things in the same category. Illogical: Detroit is the largest of all the other cities in Michigan. Logical: Detroit is the largest of all the cities in Michigan. Detroit is included in (rather than excluded from) the group of Michigan cities and is considered the largest in that group. Illogical comparisons also result when a writer compares unlike items that are not comparable. Illogical: His salary was lower than a shoe clerk. Logical: His salary was lower than that (the salary) of a shoe clerk’s. Illogical: Students at Henry Ford Community College pay less tuition than the University of Michigan. Logical: Students at Henry Ford Community College pay less tuition than those (students) at the University of Michigan. C. UNCLEAR COMPARISONS result when a writer omits words which are needed to make his meaning clear. Unclear: Bill likes fishing more than his wife. Clear: Bill likes fishing more than his wife does. III. PROPER PRONOUN FORMS IN COMPARISONS In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions in comparisons, the writer often omits words which are clearly understood: This gear turns faster than that wheel. (The word turn is understood). Many listeners feel that radio provides better news coverage than television. (The word provides is understood). Sally’s dress is as short or shorter than Nancy’s. (The word dress after the possessive Nancy’s is understood.) As long as the words being compared are nouns, the writer is not faced with the problem of choosing between one form of the word and another. However, when the second word in a comparison is a pronoun, the writer may have to add the omitted words in order to determine the correct form of the pronoun. Toni is more popular than (she or he)? Add missing verb. Toni is more popular than (she or he) is. Toni is more popular then she.

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Exercise: The sentences in this exercise contain incomplete, illogical, and unclear comparisons. Rewrite the sentences so that they clearly express the intended meaning. 1. I like Mark Twain more than any American writer. 2. The pitcher likes the coach better than the athletic director. 3. Because of his training, he advanced faster. 4. Accidents are more likelier to take place on surface streets than on expressways. 5. Visitors to Las Vegas probably sleep less there than they do anywhere else. 6. Jerry is as qualified for the job as her. 7. His wife manages the business as well, if not better, than Jones. 8. Of all the states in the Union, Alaska, and Hawaii are the newer. 9. She is smarter than any girl in her class. 10. Sally’s face is as beautiful as a movie star.

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Answer Key 1. I like Mark Twain more than any other American writer. 2. The pitcher likes the coach better than the pitcher likes the athletic director. 3. Because of his training, he advanced faster than his colleagues. 4. Accidents are more likelier to take place on surface streets than on expressways. 5. Visitors to Las Vegas probably sleep less there than they do anywhere else. 6. Jerry is as qualified for the job as she is. 7. His wife manages the business as well as, if not better, than Jones. 8. Of all the states in the Union, Alaska, and Hawaii are the newest. 9. She is smarter than any other girl in her class. 10. Sally’s face is as beautiful as that of a movie star.

6/28/2010