Faulty Comparisons Exercise

A comparative sentence is a sentence in which a comparison is being made between two or more things. Often in writing—and in speech—this comparison is faulty because it has fallen victim to one of these errors: the comparison is incomplete; the elements being compared are dissimilar; or the comparison is unclear.

Exercise #1:

Fix the comparative sentences below. If the comparison is correct, write "correct":

1. Émilie worked harder on this assignment.

2. Roland's new bike is not as heavy.

3. Because of the movie based on his novel, Michael Ondaatje's name is better known than many prize-winning authors.

4. Mia is friendlier than anyone I know.

5. Athletes can be just as unhealthy.

6. Lola spends more money on her dog than Jeremy.

7. The shingles on the house are as damaged as those on the garage.

8. Annabelle just isn’t as strong.

9. Laura’s guacamole is tastier than Mexicali Munchies Restaurant.

10. Four-year old Nicholas has more energy than any child I know.

11. Christmas preparations can be just as stressful, if not more stressful, than wedding preparations.

12. Joe spent more time coaching Elizabeth than Ingrid.

13. With a full course load at university and a part-time job, Nathalie is finding that her winter term heavier.

14. Salvatore’s way of thinking is no more justified than Franco.

ANSWERS:

1. Émilie worked harder on this assignment than Joe did.

2. Roland's new bike is not as heavy as his old bike.

3. Because of the movie based on his novel, Michael Ondaatje's name is better known than the names of many prize-winning authors.

4. Mia is friendlier than anyone I know. (correct)

5. Athletes can be just as unhealthy as couch potatoes.

6. Lola spends more money on her dog than Jeremy does.

7. The shingles on the house are as damaged as those on the garage. (correct)

8. Annabelle just isn’t as strong as Gretel.

9. Laura’s guacamole is tastier than the guacamole at Mexicali Munchies Restaurant.

10. Four-year old Nicholas has more energy than any child I know. (correct)

11. Christmas preparations can be just as stressful, if not more stressful, than wedding preparations. (correct)

12. Joe spent more time coaching Elizabeth than Ingrid did.

13. With a full course load at university and a part-time job, Nathalie is finding that her winter term heavier than her fall term.

14. Salvatore’s way of thinking is no more justified than Franco's.