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Perfect Stranger Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Grammar question no. 19 - saltier/more salty, funny/funnier

Dear All,

I've just finished a quick debate about the proper usage of the comparative form of salty and funny

Which one would you say is better? Or perhaps both of them are fine.
  • funnier/more funny
  • saltier/more salty



Thanks
  

Top answer

Perfect Stranger I've just finished a quick debate about the proper usage of the comparative form of salty and funny Well, perhaps you would regale us with the result of your debate, first.

— Mister Micawber

  • Perfect Stranger I've just finished a quick debate about the proper usage of the comparative form of salty and funny Well, perhaps you would regale us with the result of your debate, first.
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9 Answers
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Perfect StrangerI've just finished a quick debate about the proper usage of the comparative form of salty and funny
Well, perhaps you would regale us with the result of your debate, first.
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Well, in my opinion both options are possible. One American said that more funny sounds like coming from somebody uneducated.
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Perfect StrangerWell, in my opinion both options are possible.
I agree—and that is the usual case with 2-syllable adjectives/adverbs.
Perfect StrangerOne American said that more funny sounds like coming from somebody uneducated.
He sounds uneducated.
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Thanks MM. And yet... I think that more happy sounds a bit weird... I guess we should use happier instead. What do you think?
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Perfect StrangerWhat do you think?
I have already explained that both are possible. Only context can make one sound more mellifluous than the other.
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I guess my doubts come from the fact that grammar books say one thing and the natural 6th sense that native speakers have are often in a clash. I wish I could develop that 6th sense a bit more.Anyway, thanks a lot MM.
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Perfect StrangerWhich one would you say is better?
To my ear, funnier, saltier, and happier all sound better than more funny, more salty, and more happy, though the latter are of course completely understandable.

CJ
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For me (as I said), it really depends on context. Here are some from COCA that to me would be less effective as 'happier':

...saw on the EVENING NEWS that she had recovered. I was never more happy as a criminologist to be wrong about my prediction that she was dead.

...replayed Dr. Hlvacek's words in her head, not certain if she was more happy to be called pretty than
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