How do comparative form words differ from superlative form words?

The distinction between comparative and superlative forms lies in the specific usage of each in comparing items. Comparative forms are utilized to compare two nouns, highlighting how one noun stands in relation to the other concerning a particular quality or characteristic. For instance, one might say "John is taller than Sam," directly comparing the height of just two individuals.

Superlative forms, on the other hand, are reserved for expressing the highest degree of a characteristic among three or more nouns. An example would be, "Alice is the tallest in the class," indicating that Alice not only surpasses others, but is the most prominent in that trait when compared to all classmates.

Recognizing that comparative forms focus on a two-item comparison while superlatives extend their evaluation to a broader group is key to understanding their applications. The other choices misinterpret this core difference, as they neglect the established definitions of comparative and superlative usage.