Difference Wiki

Comparative vs. Superlative

The main difference between comparative and superlative forms of adjectives is that comparative degree compares two objects, things or ideas, whereas superlative degree is the comparison between three or more objects, entities, or ideas.

Key Differences

The degree of comparative is directed by the use of ‘than’ on the contrary the degree of superlative is directed by the use of the article ‘the.’
The comparative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-er, -ier, or more.’ Conversely superlative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-est,-iest or most.’
Samantha Walker
Sep 30, 2019
The comparative degree tells if something is exceeding above some other thing while superlative degree declares a specific ranking above all its contemporaries or competent.
Janet White
Sep 30, 2019
The comparative degree is used in sentences where two things are compared. On the other hand, a superlative degree is used in sentences where more than two things are compared.
Comparative degree compares two objects, things or ideas, whereas superlative degree is the comparison between three or more objects, entities, or ideas.
The comparative degree aims at making a comparison contrarily superlative degree aims at making one thing superior of all.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2019
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Comparatives are used in the sentences where two nouns are compared on the contrary superlatives are commonly used in sentences where a specific subject is compared to a group of objects.
Samantha Walker
Sep 30, 2019
Comparatives compare the differences between any of the two objects they modify (taller, smaller, faster, lower) inversely superlative is describes an object that is at the upper or lower limit of any quality (largest, smallest, fastest, highest).
The comparative degree is used mostly to suggest a thing which preferable among the two on the other hand superlative degree refers to a thing which is un-comparable or which even do not have a match.
Samantha Walker
Sep 30, 2019

Comparison Chart

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A degree of adjective that compares two objects, entities, things or ideas
A degree of adjective that is the comparison between three or more objects, entities, or ideas

Articles Used

Then
The

Formation

By the addition of ‘er,’ ‘ier’ or ‘more.’
‘est,’ ‘iest’ or ‘most.’
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Compare

Two things
Three or more things
Aimie Carlson
Sep 30, 2019

Aim

To make a comparison between two things
To make one thing superior of all

Comparative and Superlative Definitions

Comparative

Relating to, based on, or involving comparison.

Superlative

Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others.

Comparative

Of or relating to the scientific or historical comparison of different phenomena, institutions, or objects, such as languages, legal systems, or anatomical structures, in an effort to understand their origins or relationships.

Superlative

Excessive or exaggerated.
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Comparative

Estimated by comparison; relative
A comparative newcomer.

Superlative

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest.

Comparative

(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being the intermediate degree of comparison of adjectives, as better, sweeter, or more wonderful, or adverbs, as more softly.

Superlative

Something of the highest possible excellence.

Comparative

The comparative degree.

Superlative

The highest degree; the acme.

Comparative

An adjective or adverb expressing the comparative degree.

Superlative

The superlative degree.

Comparative

Of or relating to comparison.

Superlative

An adjective or adverb expressing the superlative degree, as in brightest, the superlative of the adjective bright, or most brightly, the superlative of the adverb brightly.

Comparative

Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
Comparative anatomy

Superlative

The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.

Comparative

Approximated by comparison; relative.

Superlative

(grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of several items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.
The superlative of "big" is "biggest".

Comparative

(obsolete) Comparable; bearing comparison.

Superlative

(informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.
Daniel is amazing, wonderful, fantastic, and many other superlatives I can’t think of right now!

Comparative

(grammar) A construction showing a relative quality, in English usually formed by adding more or appending -er. For example, the comparative of green is greener; of evil, more evil.

Superlative

Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.

Comparative

(grammar) A word in the comparative form.

Superlative

(grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

Comparative

Data used to make a comparison.

Superlative

Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the divine character.

Comparative

(obsolete) An equal; a rival; a compeer.

Superlative

Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most pleasant, least bright.

Comparative

(obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.

Superlative

That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.

Comparative

Of or pertaining to comparison.

Superlative

The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, a form or word by which the superlative degree is expressed; as, strongest, wisest, most stormy, least windy, are all superlatives.

Comparative

Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.

Superlative

An exaggerated expression (usually of praise);
The critics lavished superlatives on it

Comparative

Estimated by comparison; relative; not positive or absolute, as compared with another thing or state.
The recurrence of comparative warmth and cold.
The bubble, by reason of its comparative levity to the fluid that incloses it, would necessarily ascend to the top.

Superlative

The highest level or degree attainable;
His landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty
The artist's gifts are at their acme
At the height of her career
The peak of perfection
Summer was at its peak
...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame
The summit of his ambition
So many highest superlatives achieved by man
At the top of his profession

Comparative

Expressing a degree greater or less than the positive degree of the quality denoted by an adjective or adverb. The comparative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -er, more, or less; as, brighter, more bright, or less bright.

Superlative

The superlative form of an adjective;
`best' is the superlative form of `good'

Comparative

The comparative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, the form by which the comparative degree is expressed; as, stronger, wiser, weaker, more stormy, less windy, are all comparatives.
In comparatives is expressed a relation of two; as in superlatives there is a relation of many.

Superlative

Highest in quality

Comparative

An equal; a rival; a compeer.
Gerard ever wasHis full comparative.

Comparative

One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.

Comparative

The comparative form of an adjective;
`better' is the comparative of `good'

Comparative

Relating to or based on or involving comparison;
Comparative linguistics

Comparative

Having significance only in relation to something else;
A comparative newcomer

Comparative vs. Superlative

Comparative and superlative are the most common degrees of adjectives in the English language. We use adjectives to tell the quality of something. The degrees of adjective compare or contrast two or more than two things. Comparative and superlative degrees make a comparison of two or more entities.

Comparative degree compares two objects, things or ideas. The superlative degree is the comparison between three or more objects, entities, or ideas. The comparative degree is used in sentences where two things are compared. Superlative degree is used in sentences where more than two things are compared.

In the English language, comparative and superlative degrees are used with adjectives and adverbs. The degree of comparative is directed by the use of ‘than.’ The degree of superlative is directed by the use of the article ‘the.’ Comparative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-er, -ier, or more.’ Superlative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-est,-iest or most.’

The comparative degree tells if something is exceeding above some other thing. Superlative degree declares a specific ranking above all its contemporaries or competent. The comparative degree is used mostly to suggest a thing which preferable among the two. Superlative degree refers to a thing which is un-comparable or which even do not have a match.

In other words, comparative degree aims at making a comparison whereas superlative degree aims at making one thing superior of all. Comparatives compare the differences between any of the two objects they modify (taller, smaller, faster, lower). Superlative is at the upper or lower limit of any quality (largest, smallest, fastest, highest). Comparative is simply used in the sentences where two nouns are compared. Superlative is used in sentences where a specific subject is compared to a group of objects.

What is Comparative?

The comparative degree is the most common degree of adjectives in the English language. We use adjectives to tell the quality of something. The degrees of adjective compare or contrast two or more than two things. Comparative degree compares two objects, things or ideas. It is used in sentences where two objects/things are compared.

In the English language, a comparative degree is used with adjectives and adverbs. The degree of comparative is directed by the use of ‘than.’ Comparative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-er, -ier, or more.’ The detailed process of making comparative is different from that of superlative formation.

For making a comparative, the number of syllables is considered. If it is one syllabic word, then ‘er’ will be added in it. If it is a two syllabic word and ends with y, then ‘ier’ is added in it to make its comparative degree. If it is more than two syllabic words then the comparative is formed by adding ‘more’ before the word.

The comparative degree tells if something is exceeding above some other thing. It is used to suggest a thing which is preferable among the two. Comparative degree aims at making a comparison whereas superlative degree aims at making one thing superior of all. Comparatives compare the differences between any of the two objects they modify (taller, smaller, faster, lower).

The comparative degree of an adjective is used with an adjective as well as an adverb. We also use ‘the’ with comparative adjectives to show a thing depending on another such as The longer you wait, the more excitement you feel. (When you wait for a long time, you feel excited when the wait is over.)

Examples of One, Two, and Three Syllabic Comparatives:

  • One syllabic, fat – fatter, big – bigger, cheap – cheaper
  • Two syllabic/Ends with y, busy – busier, happy – happier
  • Three syllabic or more: tangled – more tangled, beautiful – more beautiful

Example with Adjectives and Adverbs

  • He walked a bit faster than I expected.
  • Can you eat faster, please?
  • John is working harder than his co-workers.

Irregular Comparatives

  • Good-Better
  • Bad-Worse
  • Little-Less

What is Superlative?

Superlative is one of the most common degrees of adjectives in the English language. Superlative degree is the comparison between three or more objects, entities, or ideas. It is used in sentences where more than two things are compared. In the English language, the superlative degree is used with adjectives and adverbs.

The degree of superlative is directed by the use of the article ‘the’ e.g. It was the best meal of my life. Superlative degree of adjective forms by the addition of ‘-est,-iest or most.’ There is a detailed formation process of superlative degree of the adjective.

For making a superlative, the number of syllables is considered. If it is one syllabic word, then ‘est’ will be added in it. If it is a two syllabic word and ends with y, then ‘-iest’ is added in it to make its superlative degree. If it is more than two syllabic words then the superlative is formed by adding ‘most’ before the word.

Superlative degree declares a specific ranking above all its contemporaries or competent. The degree of superlative degree refers to a thing which is un-comparable or which even do not have a match — this degree of adjective aims at making one thing superior of all. Superlative is the upper or lower limit of any quality (largest, smallest, fastest, highest).

Superlative is used in sentences where a specific subject is compared to a group of objects. There is another category which is known as irregular superlatives. Irregular superlatives do not follow the normal process of superlative formation.

Examples One, Two and Three Syllabic Superlatives

  • One syllabic, fat – fattest, big – biggest, cheap – cheapest
  • Two syllabic/Ends with y, busy – busiest, happy – happiest
  • Three syllabic or more: tangled – most tangled, beautiful – most beautiful
  • The mobile you are having is the least attractive mobile you ever have.
  • John is tallest among all his siblings.
  • Oxygen is the most required thing for our survival on earth.

Irregular Superlatives

  • Good-Best
  • Bad-Worst
  • Little-Least

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