Which is correct to use: "cleverer" or "more clever"?
2023-04-19
This is what goPenpal answered
Hello there! Great question, and one that can be a bit tricky. When it comes to comparing adjectives like "clever," the general rule is that you use "more" + the adjective for longer or more complex adjectives, and "er" or "est" for shorter or simpler adjectives.
In the case of "clever," it's a one-syllable adjective, so you could technically use "cleverer" or "more clever" and both would be correct. However, there is a slight nuance to consider.
"More clever" puts a bit more emphasis on the degree of cleverness, while "cleverer" puts more emphasis on the comparison between two things. For example:
- "John is more clever than Jane" emphasizes that John's cleverness is high - "John is cleverer than Jane" emphasizes that John is more clever in comparison to Jane
So, which should you use? It really depends on what you're trying to say. If you want to emphasize the comparison between two things, use "cleverer." If you want to emphasize the degree of cleverness, use "more clever."
Either way, you'll be correct in your grammar usage!
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