Explanation
What Signals a Comparison? Watch for these words: than, as, like, between, among, more, less, fewer, most, -er / -est. Golden Rule: Compare like with like (apples to apples, NOT apples to eating apples). Rule 1: Logical Comparison You must compare the same type of things. Incorrect: In my opinion, there is no story more interesting than Othello. Correct: ...more interesting than the story of Othello. Rule 2: Parallel Structure Compare the same form. Correct: Her inclination to eat a cupcake is stronger than her inclination to go for a jog. Rule 3: Avoid Self-Comparison A thing cannot be compared to itself. Incorrect: Napoleon was more famous than any leader... Correct: Napoleon was more famous than any other leader in French history. Rule 4: Number Agreement Singular vs plural must match. Correct: They were both struggling to be musicians. Rule 5: Countable vs Uncountable Countable (books, cars): many / number / fewer Uncountable (water, money): much / amount / less Rule 6: Two vs Three+ (Between vs Among) Use Between for 2 things. Use Among for 3 or more. Rule 7: Comparative vs Superlative Comparative (-er / more) for 2 things. Superlative (-est / most) for 3+. That vs Those Use that for singular, those for plural. The climate of Egypt is warmer than that of Canada. Like vs As LIKE: followed by a noun (no verb). He runs like a professional. AS: followed by a clause (subject + verb). He runs as a professional does. 10. Double Comparatives NEVER double. Incorrect: more…