1. The large population of China; the smaller populations of other countries. EXAMPLE.—China has a larger population than any other country. Of all countries, China has the largest population in the world.
2. John, who is very mischievous; other boys, who are less mischievous.
3. Eve, who was exceedingly fair; her daughters (female descendants), who are less fair.
4. Smith, the best athlete; the other boys in the school.
5. Mary's recitations; the poorer recitations of her classmates.
6. The population of London; the population of the other cities in the world.
7. The circulation of the "Star;" the smaller circulation of other newspapers in the county.
8. Ethel's eyes; the eyes of her playmates, which are not so bright.
9. The examination papers of Professor A.; the easier papers set by other teachers.
10. Philip; his classmates, who are less bright.
11. Solomon, the wisest king; other kings.
12. Samson, the strongest man; other men.
13. Jacob's love for Joseph; his love for his other children.
14. Youth; the other periods of life, which are less important.
15. Demosthenes; the other and inferior orators of Greece.
16. The books read by Fannie; the fewer books read by her classmates.
17. This shady grove; other groves I know, which are less shady.
18. The reign of Louis XIV.; the shorter reigns of other French kings.
19. Shakespeare; other English poets, all of whom are inferior to him.
20. The Falls of Niagara; other falls in the United States.
Adjectives and Adverbs incapable of Comparison.[129]—
Some adjectives and adverbs have meanings which do not vary in degree: as,
dead, perfect, wooden. Such adjectives cannot properly be compared or
modified by the words "more," "most," "so," "too," and "very."
[129] "Foundations," p. 135.
EXERCISE LXXVIII.
Which of the following adjectives and adverbs do not vary in degree?— Absolutely, brave, cloudless, cold, conclusively, continually, entirely, essentially, extreme, faultless, French, fundamental, golden, happy, impregnable, inaudible, incessant, incredible, indispensable, insatiate, inseparable, intangible, intolerable, invariable, long, masterly, round, sharp, square, sufficient, unanimous, unbearable, unbounded, unerring, unique, universally, unparalleled, unprecedented.
Misplaced Adjectives and Adverbs.[130]—A word, a phrase, or a clause used as an adjective or an adverb should come next to the word, or words, which it modifies.
The word only requires special care. Observe how the position of only affects the meaning in the following sentences: "Only he lost his hat;" "He only lost his hat;" "He lost only his hat," or "He lost his hat only;" "He lost his only hat."
[130] "Foundations," p. 136.
EXERCISE LXXIX.
Correct the errors of position in the following sentences:—