Wirtschaftsinformatik (Bachelor-Studiengang): Technisches Englisch (2. Semester)
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SM / CM, Kurs vom 01.10.2002 - 31.03.2003
Making Comparisons
Formation
Words of one syllable add the ending -er and -est.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjectives | new old big |
newer older bigger |
newest oldest biggest |
| Adverbs | soon late |
sooner later |
soonest latest |
Words with three or more syllables are preceded by more and most.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjectives | interesting convenient beautiful |
more interesting more convenient more beautiful |
most interesting most convenient most beautiful |
| Adverbs | easily carefully |
more easily more carefully |
most easily most carefully |
Adjectives with two syllables may be like 1 or 2 above in that they will add the ending -er and -est if they end in -y or -ly, -ow, -le and er.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| - y | tiny speedy |
tinier speedier |
tiniest speediest |
| - ly | early friendly |
earlier friendlier |
earliest friendliest |
| - ow | shallow narrow |
shallower narrower |
shallowest narrowest |
| - er | clever | cleverer | cleverest |
Most of the remaining two-syllable adjectives take more and most in front of them.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| careful careless boring awful complex |
more careful more careless more boring more awful more complex |
most careful most careless most boring most awful most complex |
Some common two-syllable adjectives can have either type of information.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| common gentle quiet |
commoner / more common gentler / more gentle quieter / more quiet |
commonest / most common gentlest / most gentle quietest / most quiet |
Two-syllable adverbs ending in -ly take more and most.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| quickly slowly badly |
more quickly more slowly more badly |
most quickly most slowly most badly |
A small number of adjectives and adverbs have an irregular comparative and superlative form.
| Absolute | Comparative | Superlative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjectives | bad far good many |
worse further / farther better more |
worst furthest / farthest best most |
| Adverbs | badly far little much well |
worse further / farther less more better |
worst furthest / farthest least most best |
Use in sentences
Comparisons may show equivalence, non-equivalence, the highest degree of something, and parallel increase.
Equivalence:
The following words or constructions are used to show that things or people are similar in some way.
- as ... as
- as many ... as
- as much ... as
- the same ... as
- similar to
- the same
- are similar
- equal to
- is like
- similar/ly
- equal/ly
- compared to/with
- each
- either
- all
- both
- alike
Examples:
- Here, the term 'processor' is equivalent to the central processing unit.
- Laptops are as powerful as microcomputers.
- Some companies have as many computers as employees.
- Some companies use both disks and conventional filing systems for storing data.
- A computer virus is like a virus in the human body. It can do a lot of damage.
- Many word-processing programs are similar in that they share certain common functions.
Non-equivalence:
The following words and constructions are used to compare or contrast things or people that are separate from each other.
- not as ... as
- ... -er than
- more ... than
- fewer ... than
- less ... than
- greater than
- not as many ... as
- not as much ... as
- not equal to
- unequal(ly)
- unlike
- not the same as
- not all
Examples:
- A mainframe is larger and more expensive than a microcomputer.
- Learning to use a computer is not as difficult as learning to program.
- A fax board costs less than a fax machine.
- Unlike factory-sealed software, pirated versions may contain viruses.
- Desktop publishing is the same as electronic publishing.
- You can save money with a network because you will need fewer printers.
The highest degree:
The following words and constructions are used to compare one member of a group with the whole group (superlative).
- the ...-est
- the most ...
- the least ...
Examples:
- This is the most popular package on the market today.
- Basic is probably the least difficult programming language to learn.
- The best programs are those adapted specifically to your own needs.
Parallel increase:
The following words and constructions are used to show parallel increase (two comparatives).
- the ...-er, the more ...
- the more ..., the ...-er
- the ...-er, the less ...
Examples:
- The more memory your computer has, the more data it can store.
- The bigger your computer system, the less time you spend waiting.
- The more training you give to your employees, the better they will perform.