Cool MateComparative
UK /["/kəmˈpærətɪv/"]/US /["/kəmˈpærətɪv/"]/
Definition
measured or judged by how similar or different it is to something else
In simple words: A form of an adjective that shows the difference between two things.
Examples
- Then he was living in comparative comfort *(= compared with others or with his own life at a previous time)*.
- The company is a comparative newcomer to the software market *(= other companies have been in business much longer)*.
- a comparative study of the educational systems of two countries
- comparative linguistics
Usage notes
Used when comparing two items or people. Not typically used for more than two things. Avoid with non-comparable adjectives (e.g., unique).
Grammar pattern
comparative + than + object
Memory hint
Think of 'compare' in 'comparative' — it’s all about comparing two things!
Collocations
- comparative analysis
- comparative study
- comparative advantage
- comparative language
- comparative form
Synonyms
- relative
Antonyms
- positive
- superlative
Common mistakes
- Using 'more' with one-syllable adjectives instead of the '-er' form (e.g., 'more tall' instead of 'taller').
- Confusing comparative with superlative forms (e.g., using 'best' instead of 'better').
- Not using 'than' after the comparative form.