comparative
comparative — noun
1. the form taken by an adjective or an adverb when you use it to show that one per
the form taken by an adjective or an adverb when you use it to show that one person or thing has more of a quality than another, for example 'taller' from 'tall'
Ravi learned that the comparative of 'tall' is 'taller'.
the comparative of [adjective]
In class, the teacher asked Leila to form the comparative of 'happy'.
form the comparative of [adjective]
Aiko checked the chart and found the comparative of 'expensive'.
Mr. Chen explained that 'better' is an irregular comparative of 'good'.
Noa wrote down the comparative for each word on the worksheet.
- comparative degree
fuller term used in grammar descriptions
- comparative form
alternative label used interchangeably in teaching materials
- superlative
the form that shows the highest degree, not a comparison between two
文法句型
the comparative of [noun]
form the comparative
用法筆記
Frequently preceded by 'the': 'the comparative of big'. Countable but almost always used in the singular.
常見錯誤
comparative — adjective
1. used to describe a method or study that looks at two or more things side by side
used to describe a method or study that looks at two or more things side by side in order to identify what is alike and what is different between them
Professor Okafor published a comparative study of urban and rural schools in Nigeria.
comparative study + of [topics]
Yara chose to study comparative literature because she loves novels from different cultures.
comparative literature — academic field name
The article offers a comparative analysis of healthcare in three Southeast Asian countries.
Dimitri's research uses a comparative method to examine family structures across Europe.
Dr. Kwon presented a comparative report on voting behaviour among young adults.
- comparison-based
less formal alternative emphasising the method used
- contrastive
used specifically in linguistics, focusing on differences
文法句型
comparative + study/analysis/report + of [topic]
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive). Common in academic and research contexts — the noun that follows names the object or field being studied across different cases.
常見錯誤
2. describing a state or quality that exists only when measured against something e
describing a state or quality that exists only when measured against something else, rather than being complete, perfect, or absolute
After working in the noisy factory, Hana enjoyed the comparative quiet of the library.
comparative + [abstract noun] — relative state
Theo lived in comparative comfort once he moved out of the tiny student flat.
The village enjoyed a period of comparative peace after the conflict ended.
Nadia considered her small garden a comparative paradise next to her concrete balcony.
The refugees found comparative safety in the camp, though conditions were still harsh.
文法句型
comparative + [abstract noun]
a period of comparative [noun]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (EXAMINING DIFFERENCES): here the focus is on a quality (quiet, comfort, peace) being limited or partial, not on an act of comparing two things side by side. Frequently modifies abstract nouns describing conditions.
3. linked to the way describing words change when you compare two people or things,
linked to the way describing words change when you compare two people or things, for instance by adding '-er' or using 'more' before the word
Bao is learning the comparative forms of adjectives in his English class.
comparative forms of [word class]
Ms. Torres showed the class how to form the comparative ending by adding '-er'.
form the comparative ending
'More beautiful' is the comparative form of 'beautiful' because it has three syllables.
The students practised writing the comparative degree of each word on the worksheet.
Lior noticed that 'worse' and 'better' are irregular comparative forms.
- positive
the basic form of an adjective or adverb, not showing comparison
- superlative
the form showing the highest degree, e.g. 'tallest'
文法句型
comparative form/degree of [adjective/adverb]
用法筆記
Only sense that describes the grammar-label itself rather than the act of comparing. Distinguish from the noun sense (GRAMMAR FORM): the noun means 'the form itself' ('the comparative of big'), while this adjective sense describes a noun ('comparative form', 'comparative degree').