Words / C1

k-uh-m-PAR-uh-tiv/kəmˈpærətɪv/

Comparative involves comparison: a comparative study, comparative literature. Compare is the verb; comparison is the noun. In grammar, comparative forms are bigger, more careful. Competitive is about rivalry — extra t and different meaning.

Meaning

Involving comparison between two or more things.

Examples

• “She is writing a comparative study of two school systems.”
• “A comparative table made the two policies easier to judge.”
• “She teaches comparative law, not just one country’s code.”

Good to know

a comparative study/table. Grammar: comparative adjective. Mix-up: competitive.

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