We are talking about the rules of comparison in today’s #GrammarSeries. There are a number of these rules but today we will be considering just four. Get ready to learn a whole lot!
- When comparing two qualities belonging to the same person, or thing, we do not use the comparative form with ‘‘r’’ or ‘‘er’’
Example: Tom is more fast than skillful.
In the above example, there is just one person but there are two qualities belonging to the same person. Therefore, we do not use the traditional comparative form with ‘‘r’’ or ‘‘er’’. Rather, we use ‘more + the quality’.
- When comparing two people with the same quality, we use the traditional comparative form with ‘‘r’’ or ‘‘er’’.
Example: Kemi swims faster than Kunle.
In this sentence, Kemi’s speed is compared with that of Kunle.
- In comparing two things, or people with each other, the latter should not include the former.
The Sparkle Writer’s Hub Blog is more engaging than any other blog.
(Remember, ‘‘Sparkle Writers’’ is also a blog)
Sparkle Writers is more engaging than any blog.
This is the same as saying: ‘‘Sparkle Writers is more engaging than sparkle writers.’’ which is meaningless because Sparkle Writers itself is a blog.
- The article ‘‘the’’ must be used before the superlative form of almost all the adjectives and adverbs. However, some words like ‘‘best’’, and ‘‘most’’ do not take ‘‘the’’.
Although there are more rules of comparison, we are going to stop here for today. If you’ve learnt something new today, find out the other rules and share the knowledge