Comparison vs. Comparative: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Comparison" is the act of evaluating two or more items to note similarities and differences, while "Comparative" is an adjective describing something involving or based on comparison.
Key Differences
"Comparison" refers to the process of analyzing two or more entities to discern their similarities and differences. "Comparative," as an adjective, relates to the method or state of comparing.
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Nov 27, 2023
In comparison, objects, ideas, or entities are put side by side to evaluate their relative attributes. In contrast, comparative describes a method or approach that relies on the act of comparing.
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Nov 27, 2023
The term "comparison" is commonly used to denote a noun form, indicating the action or instance of comparing. "Comparative," however, is used as an adjective, qualifying nouns with the attribute of being related to or derived from comparison.
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Nov 27, 2023
Comparisons are foundational in analytical discussions, providing clarity and perspective. Comparative analysis or studies, on the other hand, use the methodology of comparison as a tool to draw conclusions or make evaluations.
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Nov 27, 2023
For instance, a comparison of two novels focuses on their individual characteristics, while comparative literature studies might analyze themes or styles across different literary works, employing a comparative approach.
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Nov 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Comparison and Comparative Definitions
Comparison
The state of being compared.
In comparison, the newer model offers more features.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparative
Relating to the comparison of things.
Comparative analysis is vital in scientific research.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparison
The act of evaluating similarities and differences.
A comparison of the two paintings revealed distinct styles.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparative
Estimated by comparison; not absolute.
In a comparative sense, this solution seems more feasible.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparison
A consideration or estimate of the similarities and differences.
Her comparison of the data showed significant trends.
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Nov 21, 2023
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Comparative
Involving the measurement or assessment by comparison.
The study used a comparative approach to evaluate the theories.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparison
An analogy or relation based on similarities and differences.
His comparison of the cities highlighted their unique cultures.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparative
Based on or using comparison as a method.
Comparative literature studies different national literatures.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparative
Pertaining to the grammatical comparison of adjectives and adverbs.
“Better” is the comparative form of “good.”
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparison
The quality of being similar or equivalent; likeness
No comparison between the two books.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
(Grammar) The modification or inflection of an adjective or adverb to denote the positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, as in English, along with the equative degree in certain other languages, such as Irish Gaelic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
The act of comparing or the state or process of being compared.
To bring a thing into comparison with another;
There is no comparison between them
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
An evaluation of the similarities and differences of one or more things relative to some other or each other.
He made a careful comparison of the available products before buying anything.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
With a negation, the state of being similar or alike.
There really is no comparison between the performance of today's computers and those of a decade ago.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
(grammar) A feature in the morphology or syntax of some languages whereby adjectives and adverbs are inflected to indicate the relative degree of the property they define exhibited by the word or phrase they modify or describe.
In English, adjectives and adverbs have three forms when making a comparison: the plain form "hot", the comparative form "hotter", and the superlative form "hottest".
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparative
Using comparison as a method of study, or founded on something using it.
Comparative anatomy
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Comparison
(phrenology) The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.
As sharp legal practitioners, no class of human beings can bear comparison with them.
The miracles of our Lord and those of the Old Testament afford many interesting points of comparison.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
The state of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting of being compared; as, to bring a thing into comparison with another; there is no comparison between them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
The modification, by inflection or otherwise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
A figure by which one person or thing is compared to another, or the two are considered with regard to some property or quality, which is common to them both; e.g., the lake sparkled like a jewel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparative
Proceeding from, or by the method of, comparison; as, the comparative sciences; the comparative anatomy.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
Qualities that are comparable;
No comparison between the two books
Beyond compare
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparison
A likening or examination of two or more items.
The comparison between the two solutions was insightful.
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Nov 21, 2023
Comparative
An equal; a rival; a compeer.
Gerard ever wasHis full comparative.
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparative
The comparative form of an adjective;
`better' is the comparative of `good'
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparative
Relating to or based on or involving comparison;
Comparative linguistics
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Oct 19, 2023
Comparative
Having significance only in relation to something else;
A comparative newcomer
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can comparison be used in scientific research?
Yes, comparison is often used in research to contrast different data sets or phenomena.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is a comparative adjective?
A comparative adjective compares differences between two objects (e.g., "bigger", "smarter").
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Nov 27, 2023
How is comparison used in writing?
In writing, comparison is used to analyze and discuss similarities and/or differences between things.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is comparison always between two items?
No, comparison can be between two or more items.
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Nov 27, 2023
What does "comparative" mean?
"Comparative" refers to something made by comparing, or involving comparison.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is a comparison?
A comparison is the act of evaluating two or more items to note similarities and differences.
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Nov 27, 2023
What does "comparative study" mean?
A comparative study examines the differences and similarities between two or more entities.
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Nov 27, 2023
Are comparisons subjective or objective?
Comparisons can be both subjective (based on personal opinion) and objective (based on factual evidence).
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Nov 27, 2023
What is the purpose of a comparative essay?
A comparative essay discusses the similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can comparison lead to biased conclusions?
Yes, if not carefully analyzed, comparisons can lead to biased or inaccurate conclusions.
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Nov 27, 2023
Can a comparative be a noun?
Yes, in linguistics, "comparative" can be a noun referring to a word in its comparative form.
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Nov 27, 2023
Why use comparative adjectives?
Comparative adjectives are used to express a higher degree of some quality between two things.
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Nov 27, 2023
How is "comparative" used in grammar?
In grammar, "comparative" is used to modify adjectives and adverbs to indicate a higher degree of the quality.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is comparative analysis?
Comparative analysis is a method that compares two or more subjects to identify their characteristics.
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Nov 27, 2023
What are examples of comparison in literature?
Similes and metaphors are literary devices that use comparison to describe or illustrate.
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Nov 27, 2023
What is a comparative adjective example?
An example is "taller" in "She is taller than her sister."
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Nov 27, 2023
How do comparisons aid decision-making?
Comparisons provide a basis for evaluating options, leading to more informed decisions.
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Nov 27, 2023
Is "comparative" only used in linguistics?
No, "comparative" is used in various fields, like linguistics, literature, and science.
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Nov 27, 2023
What makes a good comparison in writing?
A good comparison is clear, fair, and based on relevant and sufficient evidence.
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How do comparisons enhance understanding?
Comparisons help clarify concepts by relating new information to known information.
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Nov 27, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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