Question 1

How do I know if an adjective is short or long for comparatives?

Accepted Answer

Count the syllables. One syllable = short, use -er: "tall → taller," "fast → faster." Three or more syllables = long, use "more": "more beautiful," "more interesting," "more comfortable." Two-syllable adjectives need more care: if the adjective ends in -y, use -er: "happy → happier," "easy → easier." Most other two-syllable adjectives use "more": "more modern," "more careful," "more famous." Some two-syllable words accept either form: "cleverer" or "more clever," "simpler" or "more simple." If you are ever unsure about a two-syllable adjective, "more" is the safer choice. Irregular adjectives (good, bad, far) always use their special forms regardless of length.

Question 2

Why is "more taller" wrong in English?

Accepted Answer

"More taller" is a double comparative — it uses both "more" and "-er" at the same time, which is never correct in standard English. English comparatives use one form only: short adjectives take -er ("taller," "bigger," "cheaper") and long adjectives take "more" ("more expensive," "more beautiful"). Common double comparatives that learners produce are "more better," "more easier," and "more faster" — all wrong. The correct forms are simply "better," "easier," and "faster." Double superlatives follow the same logic: "most tallest" is also wrong. This error is one of the first things Cambridge A2 examiners look for in writing tasks.

Question 3

Can two-syllable adjectives use both -er and more?

Accepted Answer

Some two-syllable adjectives accept both forms: "cleverer" or "more clever," "narrower" or "more narrow," "simpler" or "more simple," "quieter" or "more quiet." Both are grammatically correct, though one may sound more natural in a particular context. However, two-syllable adjectives ending in -y always use -er: "happier" (not "more happy"), "easier" (not "more easy"). Two-syllable adjectives ending in -ful, -less, or -ing always use "more": "more careful," "more useless," "more boring." When in doubt about a two-syllable adjective, choosing "more" is safer because it is never wrong for adjectives of two or more syllables (except those ending in -y).

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