Understanding Comparison of Modifiers How are modifiers used

Understanding Comparison of Modifiers How are modifiers used in comparisons? Comparison of modifiers Regular comparison Irregular comparison Special problems with comparisons Review A Review B

How are modifiers used in comparisons? Comparisons can come in handy when you want to describe or explain something. Yes, but it’s sunnier than yesterday. Today is the coldest day we’ve had this year!

How are modifiers used in comparisons? One way to compare is to change the forms of modifiers. Wild turkeys do not run very fast. Turkeys are slower than rabbits. But turkeys are faster than squirrels. The snail is the slowest of all.

Comparison of modifiers A modifier can have three different forms— positive, comparative, and superlative. � These forms are called degrees of comparison. calmer than The ocean looks IIt’s think that’s the it calmyesterday. today. was calmest surf I’ve ever seen. Positive calm Comparative calmer Superlative calmest

Comparison of modifiers Positive The positive degree is the basic form of the modifier. The candle is bright. She dives deep into the ocean.

Comparison of modifiers Comparative The comparative degree of a modifier compares a quality of one thing or action with a quality of another. The fire is brighter than the candles. Which person will dive deeper?

Comparison of modifiers Superlative The superlative degree of a modifier is used when comparing more than two things or actions. The green candle is the brightest of the three. These two have dived the deepest of all.

Comparison of modifiers On Your Own Choose the correct modifier in each of the following sentences. 1. Summer is the (hotter, hottest) time of year. 2. Both twins, Holly and Tina, have brown eyes, but Holly’s are (darker, darkest). 3. Riding a motorcycle can be (dangerous, most dangerous). 4. Both shirts are nice, but I like the red one (better, best). 5. Who is the (funnier, funniest) person in the class? [End of Section]

Regular comparison Most one-syllable modifiers form the comparative degree by adding –er and the superlative degree by adding –est. Positive Comparative Superlative wilder wildest larger largest stronger strongest later latest

Regular comparison Some two-syllable modifiers form the comparative degree by adding –er and the superlative by adding –est. Others use more and most. Positive Comparative Superlative gentler gentlest lively livelier liveliest clearly more clearly most clearly cautious more cautious most cautious

Regular comparison Many two-syllable modifiers can form their comparatives and superlatives either way. sillier silliest more silly most silly If adding –er or –est makes a word sound awkward, use more and most. Awkward Better jealous, jealouser, jealousest jealous, more jealous, most jealous

Regular comparison If a modifier has three or more syllables, use more and most to form the comparative and superlative degrees. Positive Comparative Superlative glorious more glorious most glorious efficient more efficient most efficient skillfully more skillfully most skillfully reasonably more reasonably most reasonably

Regular comparison Decreasing comparison More and –er and most and–est show increases. To show decreases in the quality a modifier expresses, use less and least. The jigsaw puzzle was less challenging than the maze. The word game was the least challenging of all.

Irregular comparison The comparative and superlative degrees of some common modifiers are irregular in form. Positive Comparative Superlative worst better best bad ill good well much many far more most farther/further farthest/furthest little less least

Regular and irregular comparison On Your Own If the comparative or superlative form of a modifier is incorrect or awkward, give the correct form. If a sentence is correct, label it C. 1. This chair is comfortabler than the couch. 2. That was the most bad football game I’ve ever seen. 3. Mother cooks less than Dad does. 4. The church steeple is more tall than the clock tower. 5. Fernando is a more good pitcher than Keith is. [End of Section]

Special problems with comparisons Double comparisons Avoid double comparisons. Using both –er and more is incorrect. Using both –est and most is also incorrect. Incorrect The cherries look more fresher than the blueberries. Incorrect This painting is the most colorfulest of all.

Special problems with comparisons Double comparisons To correct a double comparison, first decide whether the comparative and superlative forms use –er and –est or more and most. more fresh? OR fresher? The cherries look more fresher than the blueberries. most colorful? OR colorfulest? This painting is the most colorfulest of all. Then, delete the unnecessary part.

Special problems with comparisons Comparing within a group When you are comparing one member of a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the word other or else. Logical Illogical Joel has hit more home runs than any other member of his team. Logical Illogical Joel is memberthan of the team. Logically, Joel Ielse know. Ben is asmarter anyone I know. could not have hit more home runs than he himself did. Ben is someone I know, and Ben cannot be smarter than himself.

Special problems with comparisons Double comparisons / Comparing within a group On Your Own Correct each error in the use of modifiers in the following sentences. 1. Heather is more likelier to be on time than Jared is. 2. Beth sold more cookies than anyone in the troop. 3. Of all the family members, Uncle Tomas had traveled the most farthest to get to the reunion. 4. The Eagles have a better record than any team in the league. 5. I think Shawn is more funnier than anyone in her class. [End of Section]

Special problems with comparisons Clear comparisons When making a comparison, make sure to clearly show what you are comparing. Logical Illogical Katie’s arguments in the debate were more persuasive than her opponent’s opponent. [arguments]. This sentence makes an illogical comparison between and an opponent. The earsarguments of the African elephant are Asian elephant. larger than the those of the Asian elephant. This sentence makes an illogical comparison between ears and the Asian elephant.

Special problems with comparisons Clear comparisons Use a complete comparison if there is any chance an incomplete one could be misunderstood. Unclear I baby-sit them more often than anyone else. Than anyone else can be completed in more than one way, so the sentence is not clear. Clear I baby-sit them more often than anyone else does. Clear I baby-sit them more often than I baby-sit anyone else. ?

Special problems with comparisons Clear comparisons positive A compound comparison uses both the positive and comparative degree of a modifier. I think the temperature tomorrow will be as low as, if not lower than, it was today. Avoid the common error of omitting the second as in the positive degree. This year’s soccer team is playing as well, Nonstandard Standard as, if not better than, year’s team. if not better than, last year’s team.

Special problems with comparisons Absolute adjectives An absolute adjective is an adjective that does not have a comparative or superlative form. Common Absolute Adjectives complete empty eternal perfect correct endless full round dead equal infinite unique Take the word perfect, for example. Something is either perfect or it’s not. Something cannot be more or less perfect than something else.

Special problems with comparisons Absolute adjectives In formal speaking and writing, avoid using absolute adjectives in comparisons. Informal Of all the designs, Lena’s was the most unique. Formal Of all the designs, Lena’s was the most unusual. Formal Lena’s design was unique among them all.

Special problems with comparisons Clear comparisons / Absolute adjectives On Your Own Most of the following sentences contain an error in the use of modifiers. Correct each error. If a sentence is already correct, label it C. 1. The walls of this old fort are much thicker than a house. 2. Henry is as talented, if not more talented than, anyone else in the band. 3. I have known Mimi longer than Margaret. 4. Dad gave me a longer speech than he gave you. 5. Ben’s answer was more correct than Kim’s. [End of Section]

Review A Complete each sentence by providing the correct form of the modifier in parentheses. 1. A piece of fruit would be a _____ choice than a cookie. (healthful) 2. The white kitten seems _____ than the others. (playful, decreasing comparison) 3. Of the three brothers, Julio sings ______. (well) 4. Which of the two flavors do you like _____? (much) 5. That is the _____ lemon drop I’ve ever tasted! (sour)

Review B In the following sentences, correct each error in the use of modifiers. 1. Lucinda has the most uncommonest hobby I’ve ever heard of—collecting insects. 2. Luisa sees movies much more often than her friend Sarah. 3. Is the sting of a wasp worse than a bumblebee? 4. This year’s football team is playing as well, if not better than, last year’s. 5. My brother Nick is taller than anyone in his class. [End of Section]

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