Difference between revisions of "Comparable"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French comparer, from [[Latin]] comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par [[equal]] | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French comparer, from [[Latin]] comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par [[equal]] | ||
− | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : to [[represent]] as similar : liken <shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare> | *1 : to [[represent]] as similar : liken <shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare> | ||
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In [[English]] [[grammar]] the [[degree]] of '''comparison''' of an adjective or adverb describes the [[relational]] [[value]] of one [[thing]] with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a [[quality]], (the positive); it may compare the [[quality]] with that of another of its kind (''comparative degree''); and it may compare the [[quality]] with many or all others (superlative degree). In other [[languages]] it may describe a very large [[degree]] of a particular [[quality]. | In [[English]] [[grammar]] the [[degree]] of '''comparison''' of an adjective or adverb describes the [[relational]] [[value]] of one [[thing]] with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a [[quality]], (the positive); it may compare the [[quality]] with that of another of its kind (''comparative degree''); and it may compare the [[quality]] with many or all others (superlative degree). In other [[languages]] it may describe a very large [[degree]] of a particular [[quality]. | ||
− | The ''degree of comparison'' may be [[expressed]] [ | + | The ''degree of comparison'' may be [[expressed]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphology_(linguistics) morphologically], or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syntax syntactically]. In [[English]], for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: green (positive), greener (comparative), greenest (superlative); pretty, prettier, prettiest; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax:'' [[complex]]'', ''more complex'', ''most complex''. |
*1. The positive [[degree]] is the most basic form of the adjective, positive because it does not [[relate]] to any superior or inferior qualities of other [[things]] in [[speech]]. | *1. The positive [[degree]] is the most basic form of the adjective, positive because it does not [[relate]] to any superior or inferior qualities of other [[things]] in [[speech]]. |
Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 December 2020
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French comparer, from Latin comparare to couple, compare, from compar like, from com- + par equal
- Date: 14th century
Definitions
- 1 : to represent as similar : liken <shall I compare thee to a summer's day? — Shakespeare>
- 2 a : to examine the character or qualities of especially in order to discover resemblances or differences <compare your responses with the answers>
- b : to view in relation to <tall compared to me> <easy compared with the last test>
Description
In English grammar the degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb describes the relational value of one thing with something in another clause of a sentence. An adjective may simply describe a quality, (the positive); it may compare the quality with that of another of its kind (comparative degree); and it may compare the quality with many or all others (superlative degree). In other languages it may describe a very large degree of a particular [[quality].
The degree of comparison may be expressed morphologically, or syntactically. In English, for example, most monosyllabic and some disyllabic adjectives have morphological degrees of comparison: green (positive), greener (comparative), greenest (superlative); pretty, prettier, prettiest; while most polysyllabic adjectives use syntax: complex, more complex, most complex.
- 1. The positive degree is the most basic form of the adjective, positive because it does not relate to any superior or inferior qualities of other things in speech.
- 2. The comparative degree denotes a greater amount of a quality relative to something else. The phrase “Anna is taller than her father” means that Anna's degree of tallness is greater than her father's degree of tallness.
- 3. The superlative degree denotes the most, the largest, etc., by which it differs from other things.