Basic Details
Word: Comparatively
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: When compared with something else; to a fairly large degree, but not completely.
Synonyms: relatively, fairly, rather
Antonyms: absolutely, completely
How to Spell Comparatively
Syllables: com - par - a - tive - ly
Tricky part: Two traps sit in this long word: the a after par (not i) and the e of tive, which must stay before ly.
Watch out for: comparitively, comparativly, comparatevely
Memory tip: Build it like a train of carriages: com + par + a + tive + ly. Count five syllables as you write.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The maths test was comparatively easy, so most of us finished early.
Example 2: Cheetahs are comparatively light for big cats.
Example 3: Our village is comparatively quiet during the week.
Fun Fact
Compare comes from Latin comparare, to pair together, from par, equal. Peer, a person equal to you, shares that root.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to comparatively as used in the sentence:
Our new flat is comparatively small, but it gets plenty of sunlight.
a) extremely
b) absolutely
c) relatively
d) hardly
Show answer
c) relatively. Comparatively small means small when compared with others, which is relatively small.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
Few people visit the island, so its beaches are leratcomivpay clean.
a) comparative
b) comparatively
c) imperatively
d) comparably
Show answer
b) comparatively. Comparative has no l or y, comparably is too short, and imperatively needs a second i and a second e; comparatively uses every letter.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
Delhi summers are harsh, but the hill town stays comparativly cool through April and May, which is why so many families from the plains go there during the school holidays.
a) comparativly
b) families
c) summers
d) holidays
Show answer
a) comparativly. Write comparative in full, its last e included, before the ly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. How many syllables does comparatively have?
a) 7
b) 6
c) 5
d) 4
Show answer
c) 5
2. We say comparatively when we judge something ____.
a) only at night
b) by tasting it
c) without looking at it
d) against something else
Show answer
d) against something else
