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FAULTY COMPARISON
Any comparison between two or more items must have three
characteristics:
completeness
consistency
clarity
At least two items are needed for a comparison.
Example 1
- incorrect:
The above comparison compares Blotto
ice cream's fat content to nothing.
Example 1 -
correct:
Example
2 - incorrect:
The above example is incomplete:
He ran so fast that what happened?
Example
2 - correct:
Now the "so" has been qualified,
comparing his running speed with the record.
Consistency
A. Items being compared must have a basis in
similarity; in other words, the basis of comparison must be logical.
Example 1 -
incorrect:
The example above compares rugs to a
store (Macy's)
Example 1 -
correct:
The correct version compares rugs to
rugs.
Example 2 -
incorrect:
The example above compares opinions to
private citizens.
Example 2 - correct options:
The correct version compares opinions to
opinions.
B. A comparison needs at least two items to compare.
Example 1 -
incorrect:
The "anyone I know" in the
example above includes Jim. Therefore, the
above comparison illogically compares Jim to himself.
Example 1 -
correct
The correct version compares Jim
(whom I know) to others I know.
Example 2 -
incorrect:
The "anyone we have heard" includes Megan.
Therefore, the above comparison illogically compares Megan to Megan.
Example 2 -
correct:
The correct version compares Megan to
others we have heard..
Example 1 -
incorrect:
In this example, the meaning is
unclear. The sentence could mean
Jacqueline gave her sister more
affection than she gave her brother.
OR
Jacqueline gave her sister more affection than her brother gave to her sister.
Example 1 -
correct options:
In each sentence above, the
intended comparison is clear.
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