Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Now that you know how to form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and
adverbs, follow these guidelines to make the comparisons correct.

1. Use the comparative degree (-er or more form) to compare two things.

• Your house is bigger than mine.
• Your house has more rooms than mine.

2. Use the superlative form (-est or most to compare three or more things.

• The kitchen is the largest room in the house.
• It is the most impressive room of all.

Fewer and less have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. Fewer refers to items that can be counted (fewer sandwiches, fewer cookies). Less refers to amounts that can’t be counted (less sugar, less sand, less anger, less filling).

3. Use other and else correctly in comparisons.
When you compare one item in a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the
word other or else. Then your comparison will make sense.
Confusing comparison: Truman was greater than any American president.
Logical comparison: Truman was greater than any other American president.
Confusing comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any in the neighborhood.
Logical comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any other in the
neighborhood.
Confusing comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone on the badminton team.
Logical comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone else on the badminton team.
Confusing comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone in the competition.
Logical comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone else in the competition.

4. Create complete comparisons.
Sentences that finish a comparison make sense. Comparisons that are incomplete or that
compare illogical items become muddled. This confuses readers and obscures your point.
Confusing comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than homework.
Logical comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than doing homework.
Confusing comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick.
Logical comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick’s suit.