comparative
1
3.7
- noun
- /kəmˈpærətɪv/
- Specialized
- When studying English, students often learn about the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives.
Examples
-
'Than' is used for rank-order comparatives, i.e., where there is a 'direction' to the comparison.
Blog text (10) -
What are comparative and superlative forms of the word big?
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In English, before she leaves the hospital, the child will be ranked using comparatives and absolutes as well as a lot of other narrative structures we have developed.
Academic text (1996) -
Brugge, David M. A Comparative Study of Navajo Mortuary Practices. 4(4):309328.
Academic text (1992) -
WELL, WE'VE COMMISSIONED A COMPARATIVE STUDY THAT WILL PROVE THAT THIS CITY HAS THE TOUGHEST PROBATION GUIDELINES IN THE COUNTRY.
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"Unique" and its newfound comparatives—rather unique, almost unique, quite unique—are used to commend the experience of anything from an omelet to a spiritual encounter.
Academic text (2000) -
In grammar, the form 'faster' is the comparative of the adjective 'fast.'
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To describe differences, we use the comparative form of adjectives, such as 'better' and 'more beautiful.'
Synonyms
1
4.6
A form of an adjective or adverb that shows one thing is more than another
Compounds
- Specialized
1
4.6
Study of how body parts in different animals are alike and different
- Specialized
1
6.8
The study that looks at how animals behave and how this compares with people
- Formal
1
8.2
A rule that divides blame and reduces the money a person can get by their share of fault
- Specialized
1
4.6
A form of an adjective or adverb that shows one thing is more than another
- Specialized
A scientist who studies and compares the bodies of different animals
Surface Forms
Etymology
Comparative as a noun comes from the verb compare (from Latin comparare), so a comparative is the form you use when you 'compare' two things, for example by adding -er or using 'more' to show a higher degree.