Online Reporter
SIMPLE topics always lead students to take for granted that they know how to use them proficiently.
Mere mention of comparisons excites students as they think of simple extensions of words like adding –er, or –st.
The problems you are likely to have with comparisons generally involve using the wrong degree, comparing unrelated things or comparing something with itself.
Using comparative and superlative degrees. There are two simple rules to keep in mind in order to use the current degree of comparison. Use the superlative degree to compare three or more people, places or things. Note about double comparisons:
A double comparison is an error caused by using both –er and more to form the comparative or both –est and most to form the superlative It can also be caused by adding any of these endings or words to an irregular modifier.
Look at this incorrect sentence Ralph is more quieter than Jack. Eric’s acting is worser than Sam’s. Here are the correct ones: Ralph is quieter than Jack. Eric’s acting is worse than Sam’s.
Balanced comparisons. Whenever you write a comparison, you must check the sentence to make sure that the things being compared are properly balanced.
Otherwise, you may compare two or more items that cannot logically be compared.
Many words in the English language have more than one acceptable spelling. Theater and theatre is an example. It is best to use the same spelling of a word consistently throughout any one piece of writing.
The preferred spelling of a word is listed first in the dictionary entry. Theater is the preferred spelling.
Make use of a dictionary for any English language lessons for easier understanding of the lessons. You take advantage of dictionaries and phones and computers. Modern technology is the in thing these days and they make learning easier these days.
Other and Else in comparisons.
Another common error in making a comparison is to compare something with itself. When comparing one of a group with rest of the group make sure that your sentence contains the word other or else.
We go back to common usage problems.
Spelling tip: When you refer to many fish of the same species, use the word fish. If you want to refer to many fish of different species use the word fishes.
All right alright: Alright, though it is seen more and more frequently in print, it is not considered a correct spelling.
A while, awhile: Awhile is used as an adverb and is never preceded by a preposition. A while is the word while used as the noun, and it is usually preceded by a preposition like after, for or in.
Finding adverbs by their features. Two features can help you to identify verbs –degrees of comparison and suffixes. Most adverbs will have at least one of these features. Some adverbs change form to show degrees of comparison.
Adverbs have three degrees of comparison, positive, comparative, and superlative. Most adverbs form their comparative and superlative degrees with the words more and most. For example under the following three headings: positive, comparative and superlative.
Positive modifies one, comparative compares two words, superlative compares three or more words. For example: quickly, more quickly, most quickly, tightly, more tightly, most tightly, intelligently, more intelligently, most intelligently.
Jane reads quickly. (positive). Jane reads more quickly than Robert. (comparative). Of all the students in this class, Jane reads most quickly. (superlative). Some adverbs add-er and –est to form their comparative and superlative degrees.
Examples under positive, comparative and superlative. Close, closer, closest. Fast, faster, fastest, near, nearer, nearest. I am going to bed early tonight. (positive) I went to bed earlier last night than tonight. (comparative). I went to bed earliest of anyone in the house. (superlative).
Adverbs may be formed with a suffix. Many adverbs especially those that answer the question how – end with the suffix –ly. These adverbs are usually formed by adding the suffix to adjectives. Adjective + -ly = Adverb. Bright + -ly = brightly, fierce +ly =fiercely.
Using comparatives and superlative forms. The majority adverbs form their comparative and superlative degrees with the words more and most. Positives modifies one word. Comparative compares two words and superlative compares three or more words.
Quietly -more quietly -most quietly. Distinctly -more distinctly -most distinctly. Carefully -more carefully -most carefully.
Adverbs can also show lesser amounts by using the word less in the comparative degree and least in the superlative degree.
Examples: quickly less quickly least quickly; swiftly -less swiftly -least swiftly; noisily -less noisily -least noisily. Some adverbs add –er and –est to form their comparative and superlative degrees.
Close -closer -closest; dark -darker -darkest; deep -deeper -deepest; hard -harder -hardest; high -higher highest; late -later -latest, light -lighter -lightest; low -lower -lowest.
For views link with [email protected] or sms 0772113207
