Uses of Comparisons
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Use the comparative degree when comparing two things.
Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two things.
Use the superlative degree when comparing more than two things.
COMPARATIVE
- Both Pamela and Craig gave speeches in history class. Pamela’s speech was more interesting. [Two speeches are being compared.]
SUPERLATIVE
- Of all the speeches in history class, Pamela’s speech was most interesting. [More than two speeches are being compared. Pamela’s speech is being compared to all of the speeches given in history class.]
Include the word other or else when you are comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group.
ILLOGICAL
- Pamela worked harder than any student in the class. [Pamela is a student in the class. Logically, Pamela cannot have worked harder than herself.]
LOGICAL
- Pamela worked harder than any other student in the class. [One member of a group is being compared with the rest of the group, so the word other is used.]
NOTE
When comparing one member of a group to each of the other members, use the comparative form. When comparing one member of a group to all of the members of the group, use the superlative form.
COMPARATIVE
- Leo swam faster than the other members of the team, Carl, Nina, and Ashley. [Leo is being compared to each of the other members of the team. He swam faster than Carl, he swam faster than Nina, and he swam faster than Ashley.]
SUPERLATIVE
- Leo is the fastest swimmer on the team. [Leo is being compared to all of the members of the group.]
Double Comparisons
Avoid using double comparisons.
A double comparison occurs when two comparative forms (usually –er and more) are used together or when two superlative forms (usually –est and most) are used together.
NONSTANDARD
- The curtains for the kitchen window should be more shorter than those for the dining room window. [More shorter is a double comparison.]
STANDARD
- The curtains for the kitchen window should be shorter than those for the dining room window. [Shorter is the correct comparative form.]
NONSTANDARD
- A cheetah can run more faster than any other land animal. [More faster is a double comparison.]
STANDARD
- A cheetah can run faster than any other land animal. [Faster is the correct comparative form.]