Adjectives and adverbs come in three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. When comparing or contrasting two or more things, we use the comparative or superlative degrees. The following chart gives some examples of adjectives and adverbs in their various degrees.

positive	comparative	superlative
adjectives
happy	happier	happiest
smart	smarter	smartest
beautiful	more beautiful	most beautiful
good	better	best
bad	worse	worst
adverbs
sweetly	more sweetly	most sweetly
gladly	more gladly	most gladly
carefully	more carefully	most carefully
well	better	best

When using these modifiers in comparisons, avoid the following common errors.

Confusing Comparative and Superlative

Rule: When comparing or contrasting two persons, places, or things, use the comparative degree. When comparing more three or more, use the superlative degree

Comparing two:         On most women, evening gowns look more attractive than overalls.

More than two:           Of all the electricians I know, you are the most attractive.

Comparing two:         Marvin is wiser than Tom, but Tom is kinder.

More than two:           Solomon was the wisest man of all.

 A common error occurs when the degrees are confused:

Confused:       Between Larry and Moe, Moe is the meanest.

Better:            Between Curly and Moe, Moe is the meaner.

Doubling Up

In forming comparative and superlative modifiers, you either add an er/est ending or add the helpers more/most. It is never necessary to use both:

Incorrect:        That was my most happiest moment.

Correct:             That was my happiest moment.

Incorrect:        This restaurant is more better than the other.

Correct:             This restaurant is better than the other.

Unbalanced Comparisons

Be sure that the items you compare are of a similar kind.

Unbalanced:  Mrs. William’s tests are easier than Mr. Olsen.

Balanced:        Mrs. Williams tests are easier than Mr. Olsen’s [tests].

Unbalanced:  This coffee is better than the shop on main street.

Balanced:        This coffee is better than the coffee in the shop on Main Street.

Not Using Other and Else

When comparing one of a group with the rest of the group, remember to use other or else.

Illogical:          Greg was more trustworthy than any student in class.

Logical:            Greg was more trustworthy than any other student in class.

Illogical:          Bill is faster than anyone on the team.

Logical:            Bill is faster than anyone else on the team.

Confusing Less and Fewer

When making negative comparisons, use the adjectives less and fewer. Increasingly, these words are used interchangeably, but the traditional standard usage makes a distinction that you should at least be aware of.

Traditional: Use less when comparing amounts and fewer when comparing numbers of things that can be counted.

Aunt Martha has less patience than Uncle Henry. (Patience can’t be counted.)

Aunt Martha knows fewer jokes than Uncle Henry. (Jokes can be counted.)

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