Grammar question

[Pandemic]

Question about grammar. More vs er.

When do you use er and when do you use more. For example:

Fast = faster
quick = quicker
slow = slower
interesting = more interesting.

I was talking about this yesterday and I though of quite a few that I'm not sure about. I cant think of any right now but there were about four or five. I'm prepping for class now so I cant really put more time into this thought (for now)

[mj213]

It's kind of sad, the more people mutilate the american/english language, the more 'unacceptable or improper' grammar becomes 'nonstandard' or 'slang'.

It is as if we are saying, "It's apparent that Americans are becoming less intelligent with every generation. Why fight it? Let's make incorrect correct. That way at least we won't have to worry about sounding stupid, in a few generations everyone will use improper spelling, grammar, and punctuation."

My friend watches Futurama, they all say "AXT" instead of "Ask". Idiocracy!

[PowderedMilkMan]

I'm not sure of the rule, but I know what sounds right and what doesn't. You wouldn't say that game is funner, you'd say that game is more fun or he's stupider than me, you'd say he's more stupid than I am.

[MadSpleen85]

I'm not sure of the rule, but I know what sounds right and what doesn't. You wouldn't say that game is funner, you'd say that game is more fun or he's stupider than me, you'd say he's more stupid than I am.

I prefer dumber (he is dumber than me) instead of "more stupid".

[deevergote]

I don't know if there's a set rule for "More ***" or "***er" Basically, it's correct as long as it doesn't sound awkward! That, and the two should NEVER be used together. You can't make your car "more faster"


What are some words that are questionable? Stupider and More Stupid are examples that surfaced here... I believe both are correct, though "more stupid" sounds a bit better to me. Some words are just clear in the usage... You're not going to make your car "more fast"... "faster" just sounds better.

[owequitit]

Ok here goes. We will see if I can explain this correctly. If not, hopefully, the link will pick up where I left off. The link is posted first, so you can ignore my post if you so choose.

http://esl.about.com/cs/beginner/a/beg_compsup.htm

Your question is about using comparative and superlative adjectives. Good, better, best etc.

With 1 syllable adjectives, we add 'er to the end to make it comparative.

Cheap ---> cheaper

If it has 1 syllable, but the last letter is a consonant preceded by a vowel, then you double the last consanant.

Hot ---> hotter

If it is a 2 syllable adjective and ends with a 'y, then you will drop the y and add ier.

Flashy ---> Flashier -or- funny ---> funnier

For most other adjectives with 2 or more syllables, you will add more.

Interesting ---> more interesting -or- difficult ---> more difficult

That is the comparative form. The superlative form is basically the highest form of the word, i.e. with good/better/best, better is comparative, and best is superlative. There is nothing higher than best.

One syllable adjectives: Add 'the' in front of it, and then 'est to the end.

high ---> the highest

Two or more syllable adjectives: Add 'the most' in front of the word.

Interesting ---> The most interesting

Two syllables ending in 'y: Add 'the' before the word, drop the 'y, and add 'iest to the end of the word.

funny ---> the funniest

The two biggest exceptions to this rule are for 'good' and 'bad'

Good ---> better (comparative) ---> best (superlative)

Bad ---> worse (comparative) ---> worst (superlative)

This is essentially the same thing that is posted in the link, as I found it to be a straight foward way to illustrate it. Not a bad site for general grammar guidance. I will have to dig for it, but I had a grammar handbook that I used in college English that was an amazing reference. I will see if I can even find it, and then try to post the ISBN. It is over 10 years old now, so you can probably find it for cheap. May not be the most up to date book, but I am sure it will still be very good.

[texasvtak]

It's kind of sad, the more people mutilate the american/english language, the more 'unacceptable or improper' grammar becomes 'nonstandard' or 'slang'.

It is as if we are saying, "It's apparent that Americans are becoming less intelligent with every generation. Why fight it? Let's make incorrect correct. That way at least we won't have to worry about sounding stupid, in a few generations everyone will use improper spelling, grammar, and punctuation."

My friend watches Futurama, they all say "AXT" instead of "Ask". Idiocracy!

You could also argue that English is an ever evolving language. Americans of the 17- and 1800s sure didnt speak like us or even our grandparents.

I do agree with you though. Every time I hear someone say more *er or get your/youre or theyre/there/their wrong, I get a little more angrier inside.

[GHOST 2.2]

I don't know if there's a set rule for "More ***" or "***er" Basically, it's correct as long as it doesn't sound awkward! That, and the two should NEVER be used together. You can't make your car "more faster"


What are some words that are questionable? Stupider and More Stupid are examples that surfaced here... I believe both are correct, though "more stupid" sounds a bit better to me. Some words are just clear in the usage... You're not going to make your car "more fast"... "faster" just sounds better.

how about

more pow-er

[Law Grandeur]

life is a bitch, get use to it?

or

life is a bitch, get used to it?

[owequitit]

life is a bitch, get use to it?

or

life is a bitch, get used to it?

used...

[PUMASTi]

I'm betterer than you.

[Law Grandeur]

I'm betterer than you.

instead you'd say, "well i'm best"

[PUMASTi]

instead you'd say, "well i'm best"

I'm more best than you, I don't have to read your nonsense.

[Law Grandeur]

lulz.
"you may be better but im best. i dont have to read your nonsense"
"im best so i dont need to read your nonsense"

[Rck92DX]

It's kind of sad, the more people mutilate the american/english language, the more 'unacceptable or improper' grammar becomes 'nonstandard' or 'slang'.

It is as if we are saying, "It's apparent that Americans are becoming less intelligent with every generation. Why fight it? Let's make incorrect correct. That way at least we won't have to worry about sounding stupid, in a few generations everyone will use improper spelling, grammar, and punctuation."

My friend watches Futurama, they all say "AXT" instead of "Ask". Idiocracy!