“Comparable” vs. “Comparative”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “comparable” and “comparative”

  • Comparable is an adjective that describes the ability to be compared, while comparative is a form of an adjective used to describe the higher degree of comparison between two things.
  • Comparable is used to determine the similarity or difference between two things, while comparative is used to emphasize the superior, inferior, or equal nature of two or more things.
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What is the definition of “comparable” and “comparative”?

Comparable
  • Comparable refers to things or people that can be compared to each other in terms of their similarities or differences.
  • It means that two or more things have sufficient qualities or characteristics that can be compared.
  • It is often used to determine the relative value or worth of something by examining or analyzing their similarities and differences.
Comparative
  • Comparative refers to a form of a word that describes a higher degree of comparison between two or more things.
  • It is used to emphasize the difference in quality or quantity between two or more items.
  • It is often used to express a comparison of superiority, inferiority, or equality of things under consideration.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Comparative” is the more popular variant on the web.
Comparable
584,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The secondhand car is comparable to a brand new one in terms of its performance.
  2. The intelligence of the two students is not comparable as one is a straight-A student while the other barely passes.
  3. The two mobile phones have comparable features and prices.
More popular
Comparative
642,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The comparative study of the two theories reveals the stark differences between them.
  2. In comparative perspective, it is evident that the cost of living in this city is higher than others.
  3. The professor asked her students to write a comparative essay on the two poems they just read.
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