Englishfor English speakers
comparative
Adjective
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You use comparative to show that something is not great but is better than something else.
They lived in the comparative comfort of her uncle's house.
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You use comparative to show that someone or something is not quite a beginner, etc., but almost the same as one.
The absent father was a comparative stranger to the son.
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Comparative study is a form of study that looks at how things are alike and different.
The study of how the anatomy of animals are alike and different is called comparative anatomy.
comparative
Noun
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A comparative is a form of a comparable adjective. You use it to show that something is "more big", "more good", etc.
For example:
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is a comparable adjective and bigger is the comparative.
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' is a comparable adjective. Its comparative is more intelligent.
My students always forget the -er in comparatives.
assay
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verb
analyze (chemical substances)
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noun
(= check)
an appraisal of the state of affairs
they made an assay of the contents
a check on its dependability under stress
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noun
a written report of the results of an analysis of the composition of some substance
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noun
a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc
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noun
a substance that is undergoing an analysis of its components
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verb
(= try, seek, attempt, essay)
make an effort or attempt
He tried to shake off his fears
The infant had essayed a few wobbly steps
The police attempted to stop the thief
He sought to improve himself
She always seeks to do good in the world