Choose the correct word from the given options to fill in the blank in the given sentence.
The fabric of this new outfit is __________ inferior in comparison to the old one.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → much
Strengthening a comparative:
- Inferior (like superior, senior, junior, prior) is a Latin comparative: it already means "lower in quality than", and it is followed by "to", not "than".
- A comparative is made stronger with much (or far), not with "very": "much better", "much inferior".
- Complete sentence: The fabric of this new outfit is much inferior in comparison to the old one.
Example: His new phone is much superior to the old one.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: very — Incorrect. "Very" strengthens an adjective in the positive degree ("very poor", "very good"), not a comparative.
Option 2: more — Incorrect. "Inferior" is already a comparative, so "more inferior" would be a double comparative.
Option 4: most — Incorrect. "Most" forms a superlative; two fabrics are being compared, and "inferior" cannot take a superlative marker.
Contrast: much (or far) strengthens a comparative ("much inferior"); very strengthens the positive degree ("very poor").