Why is it comparison but comparatively?
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Just Janet
9 comments —
Presumably for the same reason that it's pronounce but pronunciation.
I always assumed that the latter referred to the black robed demon who'd be on your case if you didn't do the former right.
(Yes, I know - it's probably "...the former correctly" and you're shocked at my grammar which is ridiculous, she was the sweetest old lady a person could know....)
Actually there may very well be a historical reason for this. I will ask my husband (who teaches History of the English Language (among other English classes ) at the college level. When he gets home from teaching, that is.
The root word, of course, is compare.
The answer is actually, "Because it's FRENCH," Norman French to be specific, and before that Latin.
Comparison - from Latin "comparationem" to Old French "comparaison"
Comparative - comparativus
As English replaced French as the language of the English government, the third vowel sound shifted from long A to short I.
Source: Online Entymology Dictionary
The answer is actually, "Because it's FRENCH," Norman French to be specific, and before that Latin.
Comparison - from Latin "comparationem" to Old French "comparaison"
Comparative - comparativus
As English replaced French as the language of the English government, the third vowel sound shifted from long A to short I.
Source: Online Entymology Dictionary
browngirl on March 30th, 2012 12:22 am (UTC)Thank you for actually providing information!
*makes a note of your interesting answer*
*makes a note of your interesting answer*