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Which Is The Most Correct Comparison

Adjectives and adverbs can be used to make comparisons. The comparative form is used to compare two people, ideas, or things. The superlative form with the word “the” is used to compare three or more. Comparatives and superlatives are often used in writing to hedge or boost language.

Here are some rules and examples of how to form the comparatives and superlatives:

General Rules for Comparatives and Superlatives

Adjective or Adverb Comparative Superlative One-syllable adjectives small smaller (the) smallest fast faster (the) fastest large larger (the) largest big bigger (Note the spelling here) (the) biggest Most two-syllable adjectives thoughtful more/less thoughtful (the) most/least thoughtful useful more/less useful (the) most/least useful Adverbs ending in -ly carefully more/less carefully (the) most/least careful slowly more/less slowly (the) most/least slowly Two-syllable adjectives ending in -y sleepy sleepier (the) sleepiest happy happier (the) happiest Two-syllable adjectives ending with -er, -le, -or, or -ow little littler (the) littlest narrow narrower (the) narrowest gentle gentler (the) gentlest Three or more syllable adjectives intelligent more/less intelligent (the) most/least intelligent important more/less important (the) most/least important

Two-Syllable Adjectives That Follow Two Rules (either form is correct)

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Adjective Comparative Superlative clever more/less clever (the) most/least clever cleverer (the) cleverest simple more/less simple (the) most/least simple simpler (the) simplest friendly more/less friendly (the) most/least friendly friendlier (the) friendliest

Irregular Adjectives

Adjective Comparative Superlative good better (the) best bad worse (the) worst far farther (the) farthest little less (the) least few fewer (the) fewest

To find other comparative structures, look up the word in an online dictionary such as Merriam Webster. If you are a multilingual writer, you may find Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary helpful for level-appropriate definitions and examples.

To form comparative sentences, use the comparative with the word “than.” Here are some examples:

  • Fewer participants volunteered for the study than I had anticipated.
  • Business school was less expensive than law school.
  • His application was processed more quickly than he thought.

It is also possible to use “(not) as…as” to express similarity or differences. Here are some examples:

  • Reading is as enjoyable as writing.
  • The results were as conclusive as in previous studies.
  • Finding participants for the study was not as easy as I thought.
  • Her level of expertise was not as extensive as her employer had hoped.

Transitions such as “and,” “but,” “in addition,” “in contrast,” “furthermore,” and “on the other hand” can also be used to show comparison. See our website page on transitions and sentence structures and types of sentences for more information and examples.

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