Getting to the top is ________________ than staying on top.
Correct Answer
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Grammar Practice: Comparative Adjectives
This question tests the understanding of comparative adjectives in English grammar. We need to choose the correct word to complete the sentence comparing two actions: "Getting to the top" and "staying on top". The structure "X is ______ than Y" requires a comparative adjective.
Understanding Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between two things or groups. They often end in "-er" (e.g., smaller, faster, easier) or use the word "more" before the adjective (e.g., more beautiful, more interesting).
For adjectives with one syllable or two syllables ending in "-y", we typically form the comparative by adding "-er".
Analyzing the Options
- Option 1: more easy - This is grammatically incorrect. While "more" is used for comparatives, the standard comparative form of "easy" is "easier", not "more easy".
- Option 2: much easy - This is incorrect. "Much" is an adverb, and while it can modify adjectives, it needs the comparative form. "Much easier" would be correct, but "much easy" is not.
- Option 3: easiest - This is the superlative form of the adjective "easy". Superlatives are used to compare three or more items (e.g., "He is the easiest student to teach"). Since the sentence compares only two things ("getting to the top" vs. "staying on top"), the superlative form is incorrect.
- Option 4: easier - This is the correct comparative form of the adjective "easy". It fits the sentence structure perfectly, comparing the difficulty of getting to the top versus staying there.
Applying the Rule
The sentence compares two distinct phases: achieving success ("Getting to the top") and maintaining it ("staying on top"). The word "than" clearly indicates a comparison between these two. Therefore, the comparative form "easier" is required.
The completed sentence reads: "Getting to the top is easier than staying on top."
This question tests the understanding of comparative adjectives in English grammar. We need to choose the correct word to complete the sentence comparing two actions: "Getting to the top" and "staying on top". The structure "X is ______ than Y" requires a comparative adjective.
Understanding Comparative Adjectives
Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between two things or groups. They often end in "-er" (e.g., smaller, faster, easier) or use the word "more" before the adjective (e.g., more beautiful, more interesting).
For adjectives with one syllable or two syllables ending in "-y", we typically form the comparative by adding "-er".
Analyzing the Options
- Option 1: more easy - This is grammatically incorrect. While "more" is used for comparatives, the standard comparative form of "easy" is "easier", not "more easy".
- Option 2: much easy - This is incorrect. "Much" is an adverb, and while it can modify adjectives, it needs the comparative form. "Much easier" would be correct, but "much easy" is not.
- Option 3: easiest - This is the superlative form of the adjective "easy". Superlatives are used to compare three or more items (e.g., "He is the easiest student to teach"). Since the sentence compares only two things ("getting to the top" vs. "staying on top"), the superlative form is incorrect.
- Option 4: easier - This is the correct comparative form of the adjective "easy". It fits the sentence structure perfectly, comparing the difficulty of getting to the top versus staying there.
Applying the Rule
The sentence compares two distinct phases: achieving success ("Getting to the top") and maintaining it ("staying on top"). The word "than" clearly indicates a comparison between these two. Therefore, the comparative form "easier" is required.
The completed sentence reads: "Getting to the top is easier than staying on top."