Ye Merrye Conlangre: Comparative Constructions
Everything here is stolen from Comparative Constructions by ... in
Concise Encyclopedia of Grammatical Categories (pp.76--).
I have just collected useful bits and pieces (and added some mistakes, probably).
I. English Examples
- more ... than
- as ... as / so ... so
- less ... than
- too ... for
- enough ... for
- so ... that
- such ... that
- different ... than
- the same ... as
- other ... than
- (... like/as)
Properties of the "more...than" construction in English:
II. Typology
Possible ways to express "X is A-er than C".
- Separative:
X is A(-er) from-C
- Allative/Locative:
X is A(-er) to-C
X is A(-er) dative-C
X is A(-er) on-top-of/beside/locative-C
- Exceed: (c.f. serial verb constructions)
X exceeds/surpasses C in being-A
X exceeds C (in/with) A-ness
X is A surpassing C
- Conjoined:
X is A, but C is antonym-A
X is A, C is anti-A
X is A, but C is not-A
- Particle:
X is A(-er) PART C (X,C will agree in case if C is an NP)
the X is more the A than C
Remarks on the Particle construction: The particle PART is often the same particle that introduces
relative clauses. (But other possibilities include coordinating conjunctions, relative pronouns,
or 'like'/'as' or even a unique particle just for comparatives.)
This type is the only one likely to have a 'comparative marker' as -er in English.
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Apollo Hogan, Berkeley, California, USA