bigger or more bigger?
When two things, situations, or persons are compared, we use certain adjectives. Hence, one would often hear people say, for instance:
This is more bigger than that.
She is more taller than her friend.
instead of:
This is bigger than that.
She is taller than her friend.
Let me state the reason.
When you are comparing two things or persons, add 'er' to the adjective, especially when the adjective is mono-syllabic (a word with one syllable). And when three or more things, or persons are being compared, add 'est'. For example:
positive comparative superlative
big bigger biggest
small smaller smallest
On the other hand, when you are comparing three or more things, or persons, add 'more' to the adjective, especially when the adjective is poly-syllabic (a word with more than one syllable). And when three or more things, or persons are being compared, add 'most'. For example:
positive comparative superlative
beautiful more beautiful most
beautiful
brilliant more brilliant most
brilliant
The implication of this is that 'more' and 'er', and 'most' and 'est' perform the same function. Hence, they shouldn't be used together. It is like adding sugar and salt to a cup of tea. What a nice drink that would be! So, avoid expressions like:
He is the *most tallest* boy I know.
He took the *most biggest* share.
NB: An adjective like clever can be expressed thus:
clever cleverer cleverest
or
clever more clever most clever
In addition to the above, it is correct to say, for instance:
He is much bigger than that.
not:
He is more bigger than that.
Attempt the following exercise
1. Who took the.....share of the money?
A. more larger
B. largest
C. most largest
D. large
2. I am yet to see a........boy than Akin.
A. more taller
B. tallest
C. taller
D. tall
3. Of the three girls, Yetunde is the......
A. tallest
B. taller
C. most tall
D. tall
4. The day that Musa's uncle died was the.....day of his life.
A. more sadder
B. sadder
C. saddest
D. most saddest
5. Ibrahim is......than his friend.
A. tall
B. much taller
C. more taller
D. tallest
A unique group of adjectives
There are a small group of adjectives that cannot undergo any form of comparison because they already have extreme meaning. The commonest of these adjectives are: superior and inferior. Again, you don't use 'than' with these adjectives. For example:
Modern computers are superior than old computers.
Rather, you say:
Modern computers are superior to old computers.
In the same vein, you don't use the comparative or superlative markers: more and most with this small group of adjectives. For example:
Modern computers are more superior to old computers.
Attempt the WAEC question below.
This engine is.......that one.
A. superior than
B. more superior than
C. superior to
D. more superior to
Thank you for reading.
The blogger, Olabanji O. Odurombi, can be contacted via SMS, voice call, or WhatsApp on 08037699294.
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