A comparison error occurs when two or more things are compared incorrectly due to improper word choice, unclear references, or grammatical inconsistencies. Comparisons should be logical, parallel, and complete to ensure clarity and correctness.
Comparisons should be clear and complete, specifying what is being compared.
📌 Incorrect: John is faster than Mike in running.
📌 Correct: John is faster than Mike at running.
Explanation: The incorrect sentence suggests Mike himself is being compared to running rather than John’s and Mike’s running abilities.
📌 Incorrect: The price of this laptop is lower.
📌 Correct: The price of this laptop is lower than that of the other laptop.
Explanation: The incorrect sentence does not specify what the laptop’s price is being compared to.
Comparisons should be made between similar things (apples to apples, not apples to oranges).
📌 Incorrect: The salary at Company X is higher than Company Y.
📌 Correct: The salary at Company X is higher than the salary at Company Y.
Explanation: “Salary” should be compared to “salary,” not “Company Y” as a whole.
📌 Incorrect: My car is faster than John.
📌 Correct: My car is faster than John’s car.
Explanation: The incorrect sentence suggests the car is faster than John himself, instead of John’s car.
📌 Incorrect: She is taller as her brother.
📌 Correct: She is taller than her brother.
📌 Incorrect: He is as smart than his friend.
📌 Correct: He is as smart as his friend.
📌 Incorrect: Between these two laptops, this one is the best.
📌 Correct: Between these two laptops, this one is the better.
📌 Incorrect: Of all the students, Jane is the taller.
📌 Correct: Of all the students, Jane is the tallest.
The items being compared should follow the same grammatical structure.
📌 Incorrect: She enjoys swimming more than to run.
📌 Correct: She enjoys swimming more than running.
📌 Incorrect: I prefer watching movies than reading books.
📌 Correct: I prefer watching movies to reading books.
Find and correct the errors in the following sentences:
Would you like the answers explained?
Comparison errors can lead to confusing and illogical sentences. To ensure correct comparisons:
✔ Make comparisons complete and logical.
✔ Compare similar types of things (apples to apples).
✔ Use “than” for comparisons and “as…as” for equality.
✔ Use comparative (-er/more) for two things and superlative (-est/most) for three or more.
✔ Maintain parallel structure in comparisons.
By applying these rules, you can avoid common comparison mistakes and improve sentence clarity and precision.