Comparative

Comparative

In grammar the comparative is the form of an adjective or adverb which denotes the degree or grade by which a person, thing, or other entity has a property or quality greater or less in extent than that of another. It is in fact, one of the two inflections, together with the superlative, an adjective or adverb can have.

The structure of a comparative consists normally of the positive form of the adjective or adverb, plus the suffix -er, or (especially in the case of longer words) the modifier "more" (or "less") before the adjective or adverb. The form is usually completed by "than" and the noun which is being compared, e.g. "he is taller than his father", or "the village is less picturesque than the town near by".

Beware the null comparative. Those who pay heed to usage prescription frequently jar at claims that "Our burgers have more flavor!" (More flavor than what?). "Our picture tube is sharper!" (Sharper than what?) "50% more!" (50% more than what, exactly?) Similar problems attend slogans such as "99 44/100% pure" (pure what, again?)

A comparative is meaningless without a point of reference. Using a null comparative is a sort of weasel word, seeking to convey the impression that something is somehow "better" or that something has "more" when in fact these comparatives have no point of reference, and therefore convey no meaning.