Comparative Clauses
What Is It?
A comparative clause follows than or as to contrast qualities: adj/adv + than/as + S + (aux) + V.
Why Use Comparative Clauses?
- Contrast — highlights improvements or regressions.
- Precision — quantifies differences succinctly.
- Persuasion — shows progress in changelogs.
When to Choose Comparative Clauses
Benchmark reports, release highlights, marketing copy for performance gains.
Forming Comparative-Clause Sentences
| Pattern | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Than-clause | Adj/Adv + than + S + (aux) + V | “The new API is faster than the old one was.” |
| As…as-clause | As + adj/adv + as + S + (aux) + V | “The microservice is as stable as the monolith ever was.” |
| Double compar. | More/less + N + than + S + V | “We logged more errors than metrics showed.” |
| Omitted verb | Adj/Adv + than + N | “Queries run faster than before.” |
Tips for Writing with Comparative Clauses
- Match the elements compared (apples to apples).
- Include auxiliary verb when clarity demands.
- Avoid double-comparatives (“more better”).
- Support claims with metrics where possible.
Exceptions & Nuances
Spoken English often drops auxiliary verbs (“faster than we expected”); retain them in formal docs if ambiguity arises.