UWF WRITING LAB
RULES OF THUMB FOR FAULTY
COMPARISONS
From Real Good
Grammar, Too by
Mamie Webb Hixon
1
Created by April Turner Revised
by Mamie Webb Hixon July 2,
2010
Can you find the man
in the coffee beans?
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This is bizarre –
After you find the guy, it's so obvious.
Once you find him - it's embarrassing, and
you think, “Why didn't I see him
immediately?”
And, yes, the man is really there.
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Doctors have concluded that, if you find the man in 3 seconds, then
the right half of your brain is better developed than most people.
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If you find the man between 3 seconds and one minute, then your right
half of the brain is developed normally.
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If you find the man between one minute and 3 minutes, then the right
half of your brain is functioning slowly and you need to Eat more
protein.
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If you have not found the man after 3 minutes, the right half of your
brain is a mess, and the only advice is to look for more of these types
of exercises to make that part of the brain stronger.
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Now that you have found the man in the pile
of coffee beans, can you find the faulty
comparison error in the sentence below?
Doctors have concluded that if you find
the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds,
the right half of your brain is better
developed than most people.
FAULTY COMPARISON ERROR
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Doctors have concluded that if you find
the man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds,
the right half of your brain is better
developed than most people.
CORRECTION
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Doctors have concluded that if you find the
man in the coffee beans in 3 seconds, the
right half of your brain is better developed
than the right half of the brain of most
people.
TRUE OR FALSE?
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8
According to the data released in September 2010
by the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States is
“one nation under the poverty line,” and Mississippi
is the most poorest state in the country.
TRUE OR FALSE?
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The statement is true, but the grammar is false –
bad!
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BAD GRAMMAR (Both most and –est are incorrectly added
to the adjective poor, creating a faulty (ungrammatical)
comparison): According to the data released in September
2010 by the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States is “one
nation under the poverty line,” and Mississippi is the most
poorest state in the country.
CORRECT: According to the data released in September 2010
by the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States is “one nation
under the poverty line,” and Mississippi is the poorest state in
the country.
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9
Correct or Incorrect?
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10
Gas costs are higher than last year.
Gas costs twenty cents more than last year.
Incorrect
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11
Gas costs are higher than last year.
Gas costs twenty cents more than last year.
THE INFORMATION MAY BE CORRECT, BUT THE
GRAMMAR IS INCORRECT.
THE SENTENCES ABOVE CONTAIN FAULTY
COMPARISONS.
Both sentences compare two dissimilar things: “gas
costs” and “gas” to “last year.”
Corrections
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12
CHANGE: Gas costs are higher than last year.
TO: Gas costs are higher than they were last year.
Gas costs are higher than last year’s.
CHANGE: Gas costs twenty cents more than last
year.
TO: Gas costs twenty cents more than it did last
year.
More Better English
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13
Try to make your writing more clear by using logical
comparisons.
Obviously, “more better” and “more clear” are
grammatically incorrect. These are typical faulty
comparisons.
REVISED
BETTER ENGLISH (No need for “more” and
“better”)
Try to make your writing clearer by using logical
comparisons. (one-syllable adjective – add only –er)
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14
Comparisons occur when a writer
establishes a logical or grammatical
relationship between two or more similar
people or things by comparing them to each
other. Usually, a word such as than appears
in the comparison, or -er (or more) or -est or
most indicates the comparison.
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15
Faulty comparisons occur when a writer
establishes an illogical or ungrammatical
relationship by comparing two or more
dissimilar people or things. Usually, -er and
more or -est and most appear with an
adjective (more clearer, for instance); or an
illogical statement is made (Gas prices are
higher than last year).
The following sentences are both
illogical and ungrammatical.
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The people in the South are more friendlier than they
are in the North.
The summer temperatures in Los Angeles are much
higher than San Francisco.
My British accent is not as noticeable as Carlos.
The Celtics beat the Lakers worse than the Heat.
Our team is as good, or better than, the Wildcats.
Of the two weightlifters, he is the strongest.
Tyson hit Holyfield harder than Spinks.
The following sentences are both
illogical and ungrammatical.
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The people in the South are more friendlier friendlier than they
are in the North.
The summer temperatures in Los Angeles are much higher
than San Francisco than they are in San Francisco.
My British accent is not as noticeable as Carlos not as
noticeable as Carlos’s accent.
The Celtics beat the Lakers worse than the Heat than they beat
the Heat.
Our team is as good, as good as, or better than, the Wildcats.
Of the two weightlifters, he is the strongest stronger.
Tyson hit Holyfield harder than Spinks than he hit Spinks.
Comp
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If your writing instructor has written this abbreviation (comp) above a
part of one of your sentences, you have likely committed one of these
errors:
 Misuse of the superlative – Of the two wars, the Civil War was
the longest.
 Double comparison – more friendlier, most highest honor,
most farthest, more rounder
 Illogical comparison – a car smaller than her brother
 Ambiguous comparison – I like Stewart better than you.
 Incomplete comparison – Smiladent gives you whiter teeth.
 Omission of “other” – A Toyota gets better gas mileage than
any Japanese car.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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OTHER is used with ANY to ensure that the
person or thing being compared is excluded
from the group of which it is a part.
More people get their news from CNN than
from any other source.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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20
The -er ending or more is added to
adjectives and adverbs in comparisons of
two things or people.
A competitive athlete practices daily to be
swifter, higher, and stronger than his or her
opponent.
Of the two candidates, he is the more
qualified.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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21
The -est ending or most is added to
adjectives and adverbs in comparisons of
more than two things or people.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats closed in 2000
as the longest-running Broadway show ever
in the world; in 2006, Webber’s Phantom of
the Opera became the longest-running
Broadway show.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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22
More and -er are not combined in
comparisons; neither are most and -est.
I was lonelier living in a large metropolitan
city than I am in a small town.
NOT
I was more lonelier living in a large
metropolitan city than I am in a small town.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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23
More and -er are not combined in
comparisons; neither are most and -est.
Among the high school seniors, Bland made
the highest score on the ACT.
NOT
Among the high school seniors, Bland made
the most highest score on the ACT.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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24
Comparisons are made between two similar things.
Colin Powell’s popularity was greater than anybody
else’s in the Bush cabinet.
NOT
Colin Powell’s popularity was greater than anybody
else in the Bush cabinet.
New York’s taxes are higher than California’s.
NOT
New York’s taxes are higher than California.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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AS . . . AS is used when a point of equal or
superior comparison is made.
Ammonia cleans most floors as well as or
better than many high-priced cleaners.
NOT
Ammonia cleans most floors as well or better
than many high-priced cleaners.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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Comparisons between two people or things
are explicitly stated, not implied.
I appreciate pop culture music better than my
roommate does.
NOT
I appreciate pop culture music better than my
roommate.
AMBIGUOUS
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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Comparisons are complete.
The professor can do a better, more effective
job assisting students than she has in the
past.
NOT
The professor can do a better, more effective
job assisting students.
Recognizing CORRECT Comparisons
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Comparisons are logical.
My adviser notified me that my grades are
better than they were last semester.
NOT
My adviser notified me that my grades are
better than last semester.
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DEGREES OF COMPARISON
 Comparative Degree
 Superlative Degree
Degrees of Comparison - Examples
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POSITIVE
gentle
charismatic
dependable
expensive
clear
lengthy
lucky
smart
happy
good
bad
COMPARATIVE
gentler
more charismatic
more dependable
more expensive
clearer
lengthier
luckier
smarter
happier
better
worse
SUPERLATIVE
gentlest
most charismatic
most dependable
most expensive
clearest
lengthiest
luckiest
smartest
happiest
best
worst
COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
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Most one-syllable and two-syllable modifiers
(adjectives and adverbs) change with the
addition of an –er and an –est.
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POSITIVE
kind
friendly
witty
lonely
relaxed
scary
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31
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COMPARATIVE
kinder
friendlier
wittier
lonelier
more relaxed
scarier
SUPERLATIVE
kindest
friendliest
wittiest
loneliest
most relaxed
scariest
COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES
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Most three- to five-syllable modifiers and
some two-syllable modifiers (adjectives and
adverbs) change with the addition of more
and most.
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honest
eager
aggressive
superstitious
efficient
professional
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32
more honest
more eager
more aggressive
more superstitious
more efficient
more professional
most honest
most eager
most aggressive
most superstitious
most efficient
most professional
WHEN IN DOUBT, . . .
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Consult a dictionary.
Look up the adjective or adverb, and the
dictionary will provide both the comparative
and superlative forms.
lengthy
handsome
handsome
lengthier
more handsome
handsomer
lengthiest
most handsome
handsomest
Rules for Comparing Things or People
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When comparing two
things or people, use
-er or more.
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When comparing more
than two things or
people, use -est or
most.
EXAMPLES
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35
Of the two schools in the area, the state
college has the stricter entrance
requirements.
Of the three schools in the area, the state
college has the strictest entrance
requirements.
Comparative Degree with –er
or more
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36
President George H.W. Bush advocated for a
kinder, gentler [not more kinder, more
gentler] nation.
Dolphins are smarter [not more smarter]
than sharks.
Skiing is riskier [not more riskier] than
skating.
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37
The diagnostic test is more harder than the final exam.
CORRECT: The diagnostic test is harder than the final
exam.
hard harder
hardest
Children from dysfunctional families are usually more
needier than families living in a stable environment.
CORRECT: Children from dysfunctional families are
usually needier than families living in a stable
environment.
needy needier
neediest
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Jon Stewart is a more funnier comedian than Stephen
Colbert.
CORRECT: Jon Stewart is a funnier comedian than
Stephen Colbert
funny funnier
funniest
Superlative Degree with –est
or most
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Jake is the most aggressive player on the
team.
St. Augustine is considered the oldest city in
Florida.
Shena is the tallest player on the women’s
basketball team.
REMEMBER: The superlative
degree is the best in its class.
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40
Among the Senior Superlatives in my
graduating class were the Most Likely to
Succeed and the Prettiest.
DOUBLE COMPARISONS
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41
Do not use both an -er/-est ending with the
words more/most.
Robots perform many tasks with greater [not
more greater] speed than people do.
In fact, robots are often better [not more
better] at performing tasks than humans are.
DOUBLE COMPARISONS
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Do not use both an -er/-est ending with the
words more/most: friendliest, NOT most
friendliest.
INCORRECT: She is the most happiest girl in
the world.
CORRECT: She is the happiest girl in the
world.
DOUBLE COMPARISONS
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INCORRECT: Is the United States more
safer from terrorist attacks now than it was
September 11, 2001?
CORRECT: Is the United States safer from
terrorist attacks now than it was September
11, 2001?
ILLOGICAL COMPARISONS
Do not compare dissimilar items.
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44
CHANGE
The interest at a loan company is higher than a bank.
TO
 higher than a bank’s.
OR
 higher than that of a bank.
OR
 higher than the interest at a bank.
AMBIGUOUS COMPARISONS
Make sure that the meaning of
the sentence is clear to the
reader.
CHANGE
 Jacob likes pizza better than
Juju.
TO
 better than Juju does.
OR
 better than he likes Juju.
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INCOMPLETE COMPARISONS
CHANGE
 Television advertising is more effective.
TO
 more effective than magazine advertising.
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INCOMPLETE COMPARISONS
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CHANGE
Millions more web users turn to real news
media for news.
TO
Millions more web users turn to real news
media for news than to “citizen news.”
CHANGE
Real news media are more reliable and
responsible.
TO
Real news media are more reliable and
responsible than online news videos.
47
INCOMPLETE COMPARISONS
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48
CHANGE
The gap between rich and poor is growing
wider.
TO
The gap between rich and poor is growing
wider than it has in the last decade.
OMISSION OF AS
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49
CHANGE
Online advertising is as effective if not more
so than television advertising. (as is missing)
TO
 Online advertising is as effective as
television advertising, if not more so.
OMISSION OF OTHER, ANY, and ELSE
CHANGE
 Los Angeles has more
freeway traffic than any
city in the U.S. (other is
missing)
TO
 than any other city in
the U.S.
50
OMISSION OF OTHER, ANY, and ELSE
CHANGE
 He has lost more jobs
than any president in
the last five years.
(other is missing)
TO
 than any other
president in the last five
years.
51
OMISSION OF OTHER, ANY, and ELSE
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52
CHANGE
More people voted this
year than in any
election. (other is
missing)
TO
 than in any other
election.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
53
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Does anyone
have any
questions about
recognizing or
correcting faulty
comparisons?
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PLEASE ASK!!!
LET’S PRACTICE!!!
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54
Roses are traditionally more symbolic than any
flower.
 any other flower
I am more lonelier here than I was in California.
 I am lonelier
Our new apartment is just as spacious, if not more
spacious than, our old one.
 just as spacious as
LET’S PRACTICE A LITTLE MORE!!!
55
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No one works harder.
 No one works harder than Dan works.
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The salary of a manager is lower than a
lawyer.
 lower than a lawyer’s.