comparative
part of speech
adjective (comparative); noun (a comparative, comparatives); adverb (comparatively)
meaning for a pupil
1) (grammar) The comparative is the form of an adjective or adverb used to compare two things: bigger, taller, more beautiful, better. tree →
2) Comparative means judged by comparing with something else: «comparative comfort», «comparatively easy». tree →
3) Comparative describes a study that compares things: comparative religion. tree →
sense in the lessons
In English grammar lessons pupils learn comparatives and superlatives (big, bigger, biggest). In maths it links to comparing amounts with «more than», «less than». Phrases: «comparative form», «comparative adjective», «comparatively small».
examples
- «Taller» is the comparative of «tall». tree →
- The comparative of «good» is «better». tree →
- After the storm, the calm felt like comparative luxury. tree →
- The test was comparatively easy this time. tree →
- Write the comparative and superlative of «fast». tree →
- Long words use «more»: «more interesting» is a comparative. tree →
- It is practically impossible to use the long tabulations for comparative purposes without some such shorthand. tree →
note
Rules: short words add -er (cold → colder), words ending in y change to -ier (happy → happier), long words use «more» (more careful). Irregular: good → better, bad → worse, far → further/farther. Use «than» after a comparative: taller than me. Do not say «more bigger». Superlative: biggest, most careful.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «comparative» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.