FAULTY COMPARISON

Any comparison between two or more items must have three characteristics:

completeness consistency clarity

Completeness

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..

Clarity

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.