Meaning & use
comparisons of equality
Last updated
Meaning
nounpluraltechnical
Grammar structures such as 'as tall as' that say two things are equal in some way.
Grammar: Always plural in this grammar sense; it names a type of structure.
Patterns
- use comparisons of equality
- comparisons of equality with adjectives
In English, comparisons of equality often use 'as ... as'.
The teacher explained comparisons of equality with examples like 'She runs as fast as her brother'.
Common combinations
- comparisons of equality with adjectives
- Comparisons of equality with adjectives include 'as happy as'.
- form comparisons of equality
- To form comparisons of equality, put 'as' before and after the adjective.
- negative comparisons of equality
- 'Not as tall as' is a negative comparison of equality.
Synonyms and how they differ
- equative
- A more technical term for the same 'as ... as' structure.
Word family
- comparison noun
- The act of comparing two or more things.
- equality noun
- The state of being equal.
- equal adjective
- The same in amount, size, or value.
Commonly confused: comparisons of equality or comparative?
comparisons of equality vs comparative
A comparative form like 'taller' shows inequality; a comparison of equality uses 'as ... as' to show sameness.
Practice
Which sentence contains a comparison of equality?
Choose one answer.
'As tall as' states that two people are equal in height; 'taller than' and 'the tallest' show inequality.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “comparisons of equality”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.