CHAPTER II THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A. Comparative Degree 1. Definition
The term “ comparison” derived ultimately from Latin word” compare” meaning make equal , liken , compare “
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According to Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary ; “ Comparison is the process of comparing two or more things or people “
.
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Meanwhile based on the World University Encyclopedia “ The comparison is the act of setting forth the points of similarity or contrast between on thing or person
and another . in grammar, comparison is that inflection of adjectives or adverbs which indicates differences in degree of quality, the three degrees of comparison are
positive, comparative and Superlative
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.and the degrees of comparison are known as degrees of modifiers. Many modifiers can be distinguished either as adjectives which
modify nouns and pronouns, or as adverbs, which modify other parts of the sentences .We recognize three degrees of modifiers as follows : : Positive, implying no
comparison my home is as big as your home comparative implying that one exceeds another my home is bigger than your and more beautiful than your home
and the superlative which implies the highest degree, at least within the certain limitation my home is the biggest and the most beautiful home in the town
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From some terms above, the writer conclude that comparison is to show or to point out three degrees quality and quantity of all of creations in this life and it’s
degrees as follows :
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Barnhat, Robert K, “ Dictionary of Etymology “ New York ; Harper Collins publishers, inc. 1988. P.144
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A.s. Honrby , “ Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary “. London; Oxford University Press 1991 p.245.
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Mervill W, Feldman and Rudolp H . Yeatman J.R “ the word University Encyclopedia “ Washington Dc; published company , inc.1964
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Gorell and Laird , “ Modern English Handbook “ New Jersey; Prentice Hall ,Inc,1964. P.369
a. Positive degree , it used when two units are compared to an equal degree Example :
My book is as cheap as your book Buku saya sama murahmya dengan buku kamu
b. Comparative degree, it used when two units are compared to unequal degree.
Example : 1. My book is cheaper than your book Buku saya lebih murah dari buku kamu
2. my class is more comfortable than your class Kelas saya lebih nyaman dari pada kelas kamu
c. the superlative Degree, it is used when three units or three are compared to unequal degree.
Example : 1. My book is the cheapest book between my classmate’s books buku saya adalah buku termurah diantara buku- buku temen-teman saya
2. My class is the most comfortable class in my school Kelas saya adalah kelas yang ternyaman di sekolah saya
However, the writer only focuses on Comparative Degree to be discussed in this paper. Moreover The writer concludes that Comparative Degree is To modifies
adjectives and adverbs when we want to express the notion that a person, thing or situation has more or less of a quality which is formed grammatically by adding –er
ending to the base form short adjective or adverb of one syllable or by giving more – in beginning of the base form long adjective or adverb of more than one
syllable.
2. The Pattern of Comparative Degree