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EveH Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Word usage

Can we use 'more' meaning 'very' or is it only possible with 'most'? I read a sentence that had that phrase and I don't know if it is a mistake or such a thing does exist. E.g: I was more curious.....but there's no 'than' in the later part of the sentence.
Thank you.
  

Top answer

No, 'more' is used for relative comparisons, whereas 'very' is used to extend the feeling of something's quality. For instance, "this tea is very hot" is merely stating how hot the tea is perceived to be, whereas saying "this tea is more hot" is comparing the cup of tea with another hot item (possibly another cup of tea) and saying it is hotter. e.

— Makka2802

  • No, 'more' is used for relative comparisons, whereas 'very' is used to extend the feeling of something's quality.
  • For instance, "this tea is very hot" is merely stating how hot the tea is perceived to be, whereas saying "this tea is more hot" is comparing the cup of tea with another hot item (possibly another cup of tea) and saying it is hotter.
  • e.
  • "That tea is hot, but this tea is more hot" or "This tea is more hot than that coffee", whereas "this tea is very hot" is complete.
  • So "I was more curious" is fine, but it is incomplete as it is, and does not mean "I was very curious"; it could mean: "I was more curious about (something) than (something)" or "I was more curious than you were".
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2 Answers
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No, 'more' is used for relative comparisons, whereas 'very' is used to extend the feeling of something's quality. For instance, "this tea is very hot" is merely stating how hot the tea is perceived to be, whereas saying "this tea is more hot" is comparing the cup of tea with another hot item (possibly another cup of tea) and saying it is hotter. Also, "this tea is more hot" is also incomplete, yo
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Thank you, makka2802. So I think I was right in thinking that there was something wrong with that sentence. You reinforced me. The best to you,
Eve
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