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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Comparatives and Superlatives
Comparatives and Superlatives
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ARaquelSP
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Comparatives and Superlatives
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Hi, dear colleagues.
I �ve just come across something I had never really thought before. Do we say "more simple" or "simpler"? "More quiet � or "quieter"? They have both 2 syllabes but the rule is that we only say "_er" if a 2-syllabe verb ending in "_y"? We do not say "boringer", but at the same time "quieter" doesn �t sound that bad... I get too confused when I think too much of the rules... 
Thanks for your help!
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6 Nov 2009
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yolprica
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In the cases you mention both are correct. They are exceptions to the general rule, there are some other adjectives which can be said both ways.
Hope it helps
Yolanda |
6 Nov 2009
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Kate (kkcat)
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Don �t be surprised...here is a list of 2-syllable words which have both forms:
simple - simpler OR more simple - the simpliest OR MOST SIMPLE
clever - cleverer OR more clever - the cleverest OR most clever
common,
cruel,
gentle,
likely,
narrow,
pleasant,
polite.
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6 Nov 2009
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clevy3
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Hi,
If you really want to be certain use a dictionary that shows the comparative form beside the word. I would have to disagree with Kate as the dictionary has for eg. cleverer and cleverest and the same for simplest - We allow the more and most in speech but examiners may mark it wrong in a formal exam.
Carol
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6 Nov 2009
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alien boy
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G �day!
Unlike Carol, I don �t disagree with Kate. What I would say is this... cleverer & cleverest are more formal than more clever & most clever. So, if you are teaching your students for formal exam preparation then they should be made aware of the distinction. If you are teaching conversational English maybe you should start with whatever the easiest to pronounce would be. As a personal preference I use �more clever � because it �rolls off my tongue � more easily than �cleverer �.
According to Swann the �more � & �most � superlative & comparative for many 2 syllable adjectives are becoming more common in usage.
Regards,
AB
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7 Nov 2009
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Pinky Makus
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Can I jump in with a question? Does anyone know some good flashcards and worksheets for this topic? If I search here...do I just use the adjective section or is there another section I have missed.
Pinky
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7 Nov 2009
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alien boy
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Hi Pinky!
just use the shortcut in the right hand grammar column - �Comparison � - & you �ll get a lot!
Cheers,
AB
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7 Nov 2009
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Pinky Makus
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Oops. I did miss that. Thank you!
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7 Nov 2009
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