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Beesas Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Informal language: slower / more slowly

Dear Mister Micawber,

I came across your reaction to a question about using "more slowly" and "slower" in the context of formality. May I ask, do you have any scientific sources for this claim? I absolutely agree with you and want to use this claim in my MA thesis about language problems, but need a more scientific source. I hope to hear from you!

"Hello, Siernan-- and welcome to English Forums.

Please can you say me which is more correct and why?-- All of the below are correct. The first of each pair is informal.

Can you speak slower, please?
Can you speak more slowly, please?

Can you speak louder, please?
Can you speak more loudly, please?

Can you do that quieter, please?
Can you do that more quietly, please?"


(The comment is 8 years old, so I hope you know what I'm talking about...)


Kind regards,


Boudewijn

  

Top answer

" is correct. " is correct. " is correct.

— Anonymous

  • " is correct.
  • " is correct.
  • " is correct.
  • " is not right.
  • " is correct, this is apparently from established usage and tradition in English, over hundreds of years.
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1 Answers
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The following is American usage:


"Can you speak slower, please?" is correct.

"Can you speak more slowly, please?" is correct.

"Can you speak louder, please?" is correct.

"Can you speak more loudly, please?" is not right. As for why it's not right, and "Can you speak more slowly, please?" is correct, this is apparently from established usage and tradition in Englis

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