Question on English usage of "more"

11 years ago

It's a tricky one, but a general rule is that one-syllable words go with the -er suffix, while multi-syllable words use the word 'more'.

Examples:
fast -> faster
funny -> more funny

Good:
"This widget is more intriguing than the other one."
Bad:
"This widget is intriguinger than the other one."

But in 2013 where grammar and language has descended into anarchy, I will be disputed and hung at dawn. :p

edit: Before anyone else comes back with it, I do realize that the word 'good' is one of the exceptions to the one-syllable rule.

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ChristianSites 11 years ago

It is dawn, and I am here to defend Joel against any hanging. Thanks for defending grammar's honor Joel!
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MontelloMarketing

11 years ago

While Joel's right for the most part, "more funny" in most cases is not accepted in the US at least over "funnier." And this isn't some new 2013 grammar. It's been that way at least 40 years.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Depends on the context doesn't it. Can't help unless I know where you propose to use it.

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Joel Young

11 years ago

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

Depends on the context doesn't it. Can't help unless I know where you propose to use it.

Depends on the context, doesn't it? I can't help unless I know where you propose to use it.

That's not a good confidence booster for your advertised skills.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Joel Young

Depends on the context, doesn't it? I can't help unless I know where you propose to use it.

That's not a good confidence booster for your advertised skills.

Not at all. If I wanted a pause there... I would have put in a comma. Or an ellipsis. And it was a rhetorical question. And who says I need to start with "I". I write the way I speak.

But if you want to go head to head with me on the correct use of English Grammar - go right ahead. I'll blow you out of the water, Smartass.

p.s. and yes - there's nothing wrong with starting a sentence with conjunctions like "and" and "but".

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Joel Young

11 years ago

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

But if you want to go head to head with me on the correct use of English Grammar - go right ahead. I'll blow you out of the water, Smartass.

I disagree, but I didn't come here to start a contest. English Grammar is evolving away from its original proper usage and structure, much to my chagrin. Nobody can change that, but it sure does filter out those who I work with when the time comes (a general sentiment, not directed at you personally).

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Joel Young

I disagree, but I didn't come here to start a contest. English Grammar is evolving away from its original proper usage and structure, much to my chagrin. Nobody can change that, but it sure does filter out those who I work with when the time comes (a general sentiment, not directed at you personally).

That so? I just went to your "About Me". You say -

Merchandiser with The Newsgroup

In fact that should read The News Group, no?

And

English Grammar is evolving away from its original proper usage and structure

Nothing new there. That's the beauty of English - its evolving all the time. It borrows bits and pieces from other languages and neologisms are absorbed all the time. There IS no "correct English". There's American English, Canadian English, Australian English, Thames Estuary English yada, yada, yada.

But keep being a prat.

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gatorx

11 years ago

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

Depends on the context doesn't it. Can't help unless I know where you propose to use it.

It doesn't matter where I intend to use it. It is a matter of English usage; not about content. You wouldn't say that the English is correct in certain contexts and not in others.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by gatorx

It doesn't matter where I intend to use it. It is a matter of English usage; not about content. You wouldn't say that the English is correct in certain contexts and not in others.

Bullshit. It's always about context. What's grammatically correct in one instance may not work in another. But what would I know - I've only been at this for 40 years or so. Written for top agencies, magazines, Broadsheets, radio, film and television. Yeah - what would I know. Some of you guys need to pull your heads out of your pimply butts.

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gatorx

11 years ago

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

Bullshit. It's always about context. What's grammatically correct in one instance may not work in another. But what would I know - I've only been at this for 40 years or so. Written for top agencies, magazines, Broadsheets, radio, film and television. Yeah - what would I know. Some of you guys need to pull your heads out of your pimply butts.

If you look over any grammar textbook you will be asked to correct sentences one by one. Where is your context there?

Also the examples of proper English will be shown as sentences.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by gatorx

If you look over any grammar textbook you will be asked to correct sentences one by one. Where is your context there?

Also the examples of proper English will be shown as sentences.

Uh Dude...we're talking about internet marketing copywriting here. Not the Queen's Speech. Big difference. If you don't get it - you're in the wrong game. Perhaps you're lost - or one of those dumbass "content writers".

Just checked. I'm right - you're a frigging "article" writer. Pond spawn around here.

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Raydal

11 years ago

What Is a Comparative Adjective

A comparative adjective is used when comparing two nouns. One noun will be better, bigger, or will have more of something than the other. Examples include: “The red dress is more expensive than the blue one.” and “Your car is faster than mine.” When using the word “than” it will come after the comparative adjective, like: “Autumn is colder than summer.”
The rules for making adjectives into comparative adjectives depend on the number of syllables and the spelling of the word. They are as follows:
One syllable - add “er”, like warm to warmer, high to higher. Sometimes the final consonant must be doubled like fat to fatter.

One syllable that ends with an “e” - add “r” only, like fine to finer or cute to cuter.
Two syllables - use the words “more” or “less” before the word, like difficult to more difficult or boring to less boring.
Two syllables that end with “y” - add “er” and change “y” to “i”, like happy to happier or early to earlier.
Three syllable words - use “more” or “less”, like more interesting or less dangerous.

- What Is a Superlative Adjective?

-Ray Edwards

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Joel Young

11 years ago

No, because the company has actually branded themselves that way.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Joel Young

No, because the company has actually branded themselves that way.

That's funny...when I go to The News Group I see "The News Group" a zillion times.

In fact it says -

We are excited to announce that as of December 31st, 2012, The News Group and its affiliated companies (all specifically listed below) will be rebranding under one name; “TNG”.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

I hope to God you're not the company copywriter. With this gobbledygook -

By rebranding to “TNG” we will provide our customers and suppliers with a more seamless experience and added value, bringing all of our capabilities under one name.

What the hell is a "more seamless experience"? And how does rebranding provide "added value"?

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Then, of course, you have Singaporean English where apparently it's perfectly correct to say "How much is a sales copy?"...."I write salescopies".

Go figure, Canuck.

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Joel Young

11 years ago

No, I am not their copywriter. It is not my company, I simply work for them three days a week until IM or something else replaces the income. As for the discrepancy between "News Group" and "Newsgroup", that's not surprising. All my weekly paperwork has it one way, the Website has it another; not to mention the combination of the old name and the new one. :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

Go figure, Canuck.

Oh jeez, now I'm hurt and will never recover from that.

I was born and raised in the U.S.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Joel Young

Oh jeez, now I'm hurt and will never recover from that.

I was born and raised in the U.S.

Canadians use "Canuck" as an affectionate or merely descriptive term for their nationality. It is not considered derogatory in Canada, although other nationalities may use the word as an affectionate or derogatory term.

From
Canuck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Joel Young

11 years ago

I can't put my finger on it, but for some reason I don't think you were being affectionate.

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laurencewins

11 years ago

Hey Nazi! I must chime in here. There is NOTHING wrong with content writers as a group. I am a content writer and proud of it.
Maybe YOU should pull your head in a little instead of using B.S. claims like that.

I am not going to comment further as I don't want to waste my time but I couldn't let your insult go unchallenged.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by laurencewins

Hey Nazi! I must chime in here. There is NOTHING wrong with content writers as a group. I am a content writer and proud of it.
Maybe YOU should pull your head in a little instead of using B.S. claims like that.

I am not going to comment further as I don't want to waste my time but I couldn't let your insult go unchallenged.

Yes there is - they're scum. Oh wait - I forgot you didn't have a sense of humour. But god knows why you hang out in the copy section. We play hardball here.

Look up ^ Read the sticky -

If you're looking for article writers go this section of the Warrior Instead:

Warriors For Hire - Programmers, Website Designers, Graphic Artists

Please do not post them in this section. This section is intended for discussion about copywriting which is the writing of sales copy that gets people to take action (i.e. opt-in, buy, call your office, etc.). Hence the name "The Copywriting Forum"

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laurencewins

11 years ago

I DO have a sense of humour and I am allowed to "hang out" in here. I actually learn from some of the more respected copywriters. As for playing "hardball" as you put it, there's never a need to insult people...unless you do have the true personality as indicated by your nickname.

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Cheers, Laurence.
Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by laurencewins

I DO have a sense of humour and I am allowed to "hang out" in here. I actually learn from some of the more respected copywriters. As for playing "hardball" as you put it, there's never a need to insult people...unless you do have the true personality as indicated by your nickname.

It's not a nickname. It's call "branding" Dude. It comes from "The Soup Nazi" - a soup chef who was passionate about his craft. See - you've learnt something about copywriting/marketing already.

BTW there's a chain of soup restaurants who ran with that branding - In This Corner, Soup Nutsy - NYTimes.com

Soup Nutsy Canada Home Page Todays Menu

Hmmm...maybe I should switch to "The Copy Nutsy".

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travlinguy

11 years ago

Content writers rule! Without content writers there would be nothing for the copy whores to write about.

Oh, spicier is correct in most situations.

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laurencewins

11 years ago

Thanks for the support travlinguy.

I totally agree.

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Cheers, Laurence.
Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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deezn

11 years ago

No Copy for You! Next!

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ParkerArrow

11 years ago

I guess it leaves a lot of white space.

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bluewatersailor

11 years ago

There's a slight difference in implication between the two, as I see it. To me, one novel might be "spicier" than the other, but one soup would be "more spicy" than another. The first seems to me to carry more of a sexual undertone than the second. (This may just be my selection bias, though.)

A very fine distinction, to be sure. But it might matter WRT copywriting.

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Ben

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The Copy Nazi

Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by bluewatersailor

There's a slight difference in implication between the two, as I see it. To me, one novel might be "spicier" than the other, but one soup would be "more spicy" than another. The first seems to me to carry more of a sexual undertone than the second. (This may just be my selection bias, though.)

A very fine distinction, to be sure. But it might matter WRT copywriting.

Exactly - depends on the context.

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bluewatersailor 11 years ago

Originally Posted by The Copy Nazi

Exactly - depends on the context.

Note that you never saw me disagreeing with that. I'll note, regarding an earlier comment, that even in a grammar book test, you're given a sentence - not just a word - to correct. The entire purpose of doing so is to establish a context for the word you're supposed to fill in.

English may not be quite as context-heavy as, say, Japanese, but it's not LOGLAN, either.

- "Time flies."
- "You can't; they move too fast."

"Prostitutes appeal to pope"
"Queen Mary having bottom scraped"
"Milk drinkers are turning to powder"
"I saw the Alps flying to Romania"
"The horse raced past the barn fell"
"Cheney hunts quail; companions duck"
"Drunk gets nine months in violin case"
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Ben

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Question on English usage of "more"

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