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In writing, a comparison brings two or more things together in order to
point out similarities, differences, superiority or inferiority. Because comparisons
juggle two or more things, it is so important to ensure that parallel grammatical form is
maintained; otherwise, confusion will ensue. The lack of parallel form can thus produce a
faulty comparison. Within this general trouble, there are a number of distinct types, each
with its particular symptoms.
Misuse
of "Like" or "As"
Generally speaking, "like" is usually a preposition introducing a phrase and as
is usually a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. Don’t confuse their
functions. Remember that "like" usually compares things or people, while
"as"
usually compares actions or states.
Wrong: Like St. George fought the dragon, I
subdued my rival in chess.
(This sentence incorrectly uses "like" as "as.")
Corrected: Like St. George, who fought the dragon,
I subdued my rival in chess.
Wrong: As the Titanic, I shot to the bottom of the pool.
(This sentence incorrectly uses "as" as "like.")
Corrected: As the Titanic quickly sank to the
depths of the ocean, I shot to the bottom of the pool.
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Comparison of Absolute
Some words cannot be logically compared. Words like "complete," "equal,"
"infinite," "perfect," "impossible" and "unique," are sometimes called
absolutes,
which means they cannot be qualified; for instance, if something is not altogether
complete, it is not complete at all. These words may be preceded by adverbs like
"nearly"
or "almost" but they cannot be logically modified by "more"or
"most."
Wrong: He was the most perfect hockey player.
Corrected: He was a perfect hockey player.
Wrong: He was the most unique professor at the
university.
Corrected: He was a unique professor.
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Incomplete Comparison
You must include all words needed to make clear the relationship between the items or
ideas being compared.
Wrong: A golfer who can control his emotions is
more successful.
"More successful" than who?
Corrected: A golfer who can control his emotions
is more successful than one who is prone to flying into a white rage.
Wrong: These chocolate cookies are less sweet.
"Less sweet" than what?
Corrected: These chocolate cookies are less sweet
than those cookies.
Wrong: My two dogs are so different.
(How are they so different? So implies a particular difference, but none
is stated.)
Corrected: My two dogs are so different that they
cannot even play together.
Wrong: Individuals with a lust for power make better CEO’s.
(Better implies a comparison but none is stated.)
Corrected: Individuals with a lust for power make
better CEO’s than do people with a democratic impulse.
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Ilogical Comparison
Comparisons should be made between items that are alike. To compare unlike items is
illogical and confusing.
Wrong: Martha’s cookbook is better researched
than Mrs. Jones.
(This sentence illogically compares "cookbook" with Mrs. Jones,
a woman.)
Corrected: Martha’s cookbook is better
researched than the one by Mrs. Jones.
Wrong: The cost of a mini-van is greater than a compact.
(This sentence illogically compares a cost and a compact.)
Corrected: The cost of a mini-van is greater than
the cost of a compact.
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Ambiguous Comparison
There should be no ambiguity as to the two items being compared. An ambiguous comparison
occurs when a comparison suggests two possible interpretations.
Wrong: Susan has always admired her brother more
than her sister.
(Does Susan have more admiration for her brother than her sister has, or
does Susan feel more admiraton for her brother than for her sister?)
Corrected: Susan has always admired her brother
more than her sister does.
Corrected: Susan has always admired her brother more than she
has admired her sister.
Wrong: The coach helped me more than the center
forward.
Corrected: The coach helped me more than he helped
the center forward.
Corrected: The coach helped me more than the center forward did.
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Troubles with
"Than"
and "As"
When making comparisons using "as" or "than," writers
sometimes omit words that the reader can easily supply for himself/herself.
The exhaust system emits less sulfur dioxide than the original system did.
Some writers think more about plot than they do about characters.
Roger moves faster than any other player on the team does.
However, the case of the pronoun depends upon its function in the clause,
no matter how many words are omitted.
Wrong: Christopher thinks about hockey more than
me.
(Does Philip think about me more than he thinks about hockey? If not,
then . . .)
Corrected: Christopher thinks about hockey more
than I think about hockey.
Wrong: John ate more Pizza than me.
(Does John eat more pizza than he did of me? Probably not.)
Corrected: John ate more Pizza than I ate
pizza.
Sometimes, you cannot omit words without causing more harm than good.
Wrong: The neighborhood is more run down than 25
years ago.
(The sentence seems to compare the neighborhood with 25 years.)
Corrected: The neighborhood is more run down than
it was 25 years ago.
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