Adjectives not Compared
There are a number of adjectives that should not be compared because the simple
form of the adjective expresses the quality to the highest possible degree. For
example, if the answer to a problem is correct, another answer could not be
more correct. If a circle is absolutely round, another circle could not be more
round. If a bottle is empty, another could not be more empty. Below are some of
these adjectives that are not compared for the reasons given.
-
perfect
-
unique
-
square
-
universal
-
single
|
-
supreme
-
fatal
-
empty
-
vertical
-
full
|
-
alone
-
dead
-
final
-
mortal
-
instantaneous
|
-
deadly
-
straight
-
blind
-
everlasting
-
wrong
|
-
incorrect
-
infinite
-
top
-
bottom
-
right
|
-
left
-
center
-
middle
-
correct
-
end
|
The expression, more nearly round, is often used when comparing two things, one
of which is more nearly round than the other. In this case, however, neither of
the things being compared is round. A line could be more nearly straight than
another line if neither line was absolutely straight.
Sometimes an adjective such as the word honest is used in the comparative and
superlative degrees. In such cases, we have no standard of absolute honesty.
What the writer or speaker means is that one person approaches the absolute
state of honesty to a greater or a lesser degree than another person. The
adjective perfect is often used in the same way.
|