Final answer:
The structure of the comparative degree involves using the word 'than' following the comparative form of an adjective, which can often be created by adding '-er' or using the word 'more' before the adjective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of a comparative degree in English grammar involves using the word 'than' after the adjective that is being used in its comparative form. Generally, for short adjectives, we add '-er' to the adjective and then use 'than'. For adjectives with two or more syllables, we often use 'more' before the adjective, followed by 'than'. For example, 'I need a more affordable car than my old one.' Here, 'more affordable' is the comparative phrase modifying the noun 'car', and 'than' is used to make the comparison with 'my old one'. Remember, we use 'than', not 'then', which indicates time.
In a sentence with a comparative adjective, we show that we are comparing two things or persons. Considering Mark Twain's advice, it's important to use adjectives effectively to convey the strength of the comparison without cluttering the sentence unnecessarily.