JapanForum.com - A Lesson on Comparisons for 中・上級 Learners

Same book, same me. Fairly short this time. Thanks to masaegu for the corrections!

比較／最上級 Comparison/Highest Quality

２級
〜に比べて
〜ほど〜はない・〜くらい〜はない
〜に限る
１級
〜にもまして

===〜に比べて===
To line up two things next to each other, and compare them regarding some point.

Usage: Noun ＋に比べて

Examples:
本が好きな兄に比べて、弟は活動的で、スポーツが得意だ。
Compared to my older brother, who likes books, my younger brother is skilled at sports.

今年は昨年に比べて、米の出来がいいようだ。
Compared to last year, this year's rice crop looks better.

===〜ほど〜はない・〜くらい〜はない===
Used when a speaker wants to say that, subjectively speaking, ~ is the most ~.
You DO NOT use this with objective statements like tallest building or biggest planet.

Examples:
「暑いね。」「まったく今年の夏ほど暑い夏はない。」
"It's hot, isn't it?" "There has definitely never been a hotter summer than this one."

彼ぐらいわがままなやつはいない。
There is no one more selfish than he.

===〜に限る===
Used when a speaker wants to say that, subjectively speaking, ~ is the best.
Again, DO NOT use this with objective judgements.

Usage: dictionary form or nai-form or noun に限る

Examples:
一日の仕事を終えた後は、冷えたビールに限ります。
There is nothing better after a day's work than a cold beer.

自分が悪いと思ったら、素直に謝ってしまうに限る。
If you think you've been bad, the best thing to do would be to apologize gently.

===〜にもまして===
Used when you want to say "~ and ~ are true, but more than that, ~ is true."
USED IN WRITING.

Usage: Noun ＋にもまして

Examples:
ゴミ問題は何にもまして急を要する問題だ。
More than any other issue, the trash issue is one that must be addressed most quickly.

きのう友達が結婚するという手紙が来たが、それにもましてうれしかったのは彼女の病気がすっかり治ったということだった。
Yesterday a letter came stating that my friend is getting married, but more than that the happiest thing is that she made a full recovery from her illness.