Basic Details
Word: Comparative
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Relating to or involving comparison; used when comparing two things.
Synonyms: Relative, comparative degree
Antonyms: Absolute, non-comparative
Idioms and Phrases
- Comparative advantage: A situation where one thing is better than another in some way. Example: "She has a comparative advantage in art, making her the best choice for the project."
- At a comparative loss: When someone is uncertain or at a disadvantage compared to another. Example: "Without a detailed report, I felt at a comparative loss during the meeting."
Usage Examples
Example 1: In English, adjectives can change form to indicate a comparative degree, such as using "bigger" instead of "big."
Example 2: He found the task to be comparatively easier than the last one he completed.
Example 3: The teacher explained that comparative forms are used when we want to show how two things are alike or different.
Fun Fact
The term "comparative" comes from the Latin word "comparativus," meaning "to compare." This highlights the importance of comparing things to understand their relationships better.
Famous Quote
"Comparative thinking is the road to understanding; without it, we may never know the depth of our choices." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "comparative" mean?
a) Interesting
b) Relating to comparison
c) Unrelated
d) Complex
Answer: b) Relating to comparison
2. Which of these is a synonym of "comparative"?
a) Absolute
b) Relative
c) Simple
d) Distinct
Answer: b) Relative
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "comparative"?
a) Relative
b) Useful
c) Absolute
d) Functional
Answer: c) Absolute
4. Which sentence correctly uses "comparative"?
a) She wrote a comparative report on two different schools.
b) The comparative of "cold" is "colder".
c) Both sentences a and b are correct.
d) None of the above.
Answer: c) Both sentences a and b are correct.
5. Which idiom relates to the concept of "comparative"?
a) As busy as a bee
b) At a comparative loss
c) A drop in the ocean
d) Taking everything into account
Answer: b) At a comparative loss
