Comparative vs. Superlative — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Comparative form compares two entities, expressing more or less of a quality; superlative form ranks one among three or more, denoting the highest or lowest degree.
Difference Between Comparative and Superlative
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Comparative adjectives modify nouns by comparing two items, using the suffix '-er' or the word 'more' to indicate an increase or decrease in a quality. On the other hand, superlative adjectives are used to express the extreme or highest degree of a quality among three or more items, typically using the suffix '-est' or the word 'most'.
The structure of comparatives often requires the word 'than' to introduce the second element of comparison (e.g., bigger than, more interesting than). Whereas, superlatives generally do not need 'than' but are frequently accompanied by 'the' (e.g., the biggest, the most interesting).
Comparatives are suited for direct, one-on-one comparisons, making them frequent in everyday conversation and comparative analyses. On the other hand, superlatives are essential when assessing a single item's standing within a larger group, often used in descriptions and summaries.
In usage, comparatives often reflect a relative measure without asserting a finality, allowing for nuanced discussions. In contrast, superlatives convey a definitive extremity, which can sometimes limit further comparative discourse.
Understanding when to use comparatives versus superlatives is key in English language proficiency, as misuse can lead to grammatical errors and misunderstandings. While comparatives compare two entities, superlatives assert dominance or inferiority among many, each serving distinct communicative purposes.
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Comparison Chart
Number of Items Compared
Two items
Three or more items
Typical Suffix
-er (taller)
-est (tallest)
Alternative Form
More (more beautiful)
Most (most beautiful)
Usage of 'the'
Not typically used
Almost always used (the tallest)
Usage of 'than'
Required (taller than)
Not used
Compare with Definitions
Comparative
Uses 'more' before longer adjectives.
This painting is more interesting than that one.
Superlative
Indicates an absolute comparison within a group.
This is the least expensive option available.
Comparative
Does not conclude superiority or inferiority definitively.
They are more cautious than adventurous.
Superlative
Uses 'most' before longer adjectives.
It was the most exciting match of the season.
Comparative
Used to compare two things, indicating a higher or lower degree.
She is taller than her brother.
Superlative
Used to describe the highest or lowest degree among three or more items.
She is the tallest in her class.
Comparative
Expresses a relative difference between two items.
He is better at chess than basketball.
Superlative
Formed by adding '-est' to short adjectives.
This is the smallest puppy of the litter.
Comparative
Formed by adding '-er' to short adjectives.
This road is narrower than the last one.
Superlative
Often accompanied by 'the' to denote extremity.
He is the best player on the team.
Comparative
In general linguistics, the comparative is a syntactic construction that serves to express a comparison between two (or more) entities or groups of entities in quality or degree - see also comparison (grammar) for an overview of comparison, as well as positive and superlative degrees of comparison. The syntax of comparative constructions is poorly understood due to the complexity of the data.
Superlative
Of the highest order, quality, or degree; surpassing or superior to all others.
Comparative
Measured or judged by estimating the similarity or dissimilarity between one thing and another; relative
He returned to the comparative comfort of his own home
Superlative
Excessive or exaggerated.
Comparative
Involving the systematic observation of the similarities or dissimilarities between two or more branches of science or subjects of study
Comparative religion
Superlative
(Grammar) Of, relating to, or being the extreme degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, as in best or brightest.
Comparative
(of an adjective or adverb) expressing a higher degree of a quality, but not the highest possible (e.g. braver; more fiercely).
Superlative
Something of the highest possible excellence.
Comparative
A comparative adjective or adverb.
Superlative
The highest degree; the acme.
Comparative
Relating to, based on, or involving comparison.
Superlative
The superlative degree.
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
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
Estimated by comparison; relative
A comparative newcomer.
Superlative
The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, etc) extent or degree of something.
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
(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
The comparative degree.
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
An adjective or adverb expressing the comparative degree.
Superlative
Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
Comparative
Of or relating to comparison.
Superlative
(grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.
Comparative
Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
Comparative anatomy
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
Approximated by comparison; relative.
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) Comparable; bearing comparison.
Superlative
That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.
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
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
(grammar) A word in the comparative form.
Superlative
An exaggerated expression (usually of praise);
The critics lavished superlatives on it
Comparative
Data used to make a comparison.
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
(obsolete) An equal; a rival; a compeer.
Superlative
The superlative form of an adjective;
`best' is the superlative form of `good'
Comparative
(obsolete) One who makes comparisons; one who affects wit.
Superlative
Highest in quality
Comparative
Of or pertaining to comparison.
Comparative
Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.
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.
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.
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.
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
Common Curiosities
How do you form a superlative adjective?
By adding '-est' to short adjectives or using 'most' for longer adjectives.
Can comparatives and superlatives be used interchangeably?
No, because comparatives are for two items, and superlatives are for three or more.
What defines a superlative adjective?
A superlative adjective describes the highest or lowest degree of a quality among three or more subjects.
How do you form a comparative adjective?
By adding '-er' to short adjectives or using 'more' for longer adjectives.
Why are superlatives important in language?
They help in summarizing or highlighting extremes in groups of three or more.
Why are comparatives important in language?
They allow nuanced discussions by comparing two items directly.
What defines a comparative adjective?
A comparative adjective compares two subjects, indicating more or less of a quality.
What is the role of 'than' in comparatives?
'Than' is used to introduce the second item being compared.
What is the role of 'the' in superlatives?
'The' is used to denote that the superlative is definitive within its group.
What is comparative used for?
Comparative used to compare two things, indicating a higher or lower degree.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
