More better vs. betterer vs. nicer vs. more nice

Question

I remember being taught one uses 'more' instead of adding the 'r' at the end of certain descriptive words, yet I cannot remember the rule. Can anyone help?

ex:

I think she is nicer than your mother.
I think she is more nice than your mother.

She is more pretty.
She is prettier.

Thank you so much for offering this forum.

Whl626 · Accepted Answer

Adjectives that end in ' e ', only r is added

eg : brave , ( braver )
white, ( whiter )
large, ( larger )

While they end in ' y ', the y is changed into ' i ' before ' er '

eg : happy, ( happier )
wealthy, ( wealthier )

While they end in a single consonant, preceded by a short vowel, then this consonant is doubled before ' er '

eg : red, ( redder )
hot, ( hotter )
fat, ( fatter )

Hope these examples can help to some extent

Geebeens · Answer

Comparatives.
We use MORE with longer (more than one syllable) adjectives, for example, dangerous.
Tigers are more dangerous than cats.

We use MOST for superlatives. Tigers are the most dangerous animal.

We NEVER use 'more better': good, better, best.
Cats are better than dogs. Cats are the best!

And: bad, worse, worst.
Dogs are worse than cats. Dogs are the worst!

David lyon · Answer

In addition you can increase the strength of a comparitive by adding the word 'much' before it.

So to summarise the full scale with one regular and one irregular example.

adj. comparitive adj. stronger comparitive adj. superlative adj.

tall taller much taller The tallest
bad worse much worse The worst

Remember too, the superlative is unique by definition, and as with all unique things, we include the definate article, The;

Maj · Answer

David, it might be a good idea if you could post some examples, thanks.

David lyon · Answer

Giraffes are tall.
dinosaurs are taller than giraffes.
Buildings are much taller than both giraffes and dinosaurs.
Mountains are the tallest.

A Cold is bad.
Influenza is worse.
Cancer is much worse, than both a cold and influenza.
Death is of course, the worst. (maybe bad is a bad example!!)

Guest · Answer

<< Cancer is much worse, than both a cold and influenza. >>

I believe this is incorrectly written, though the concept is correct. It should be (note: no comma):

Cancer is much worse than either a cold or influenza.

More better vs. betterer vs. nicer vs. more nice

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