Confused About Using 'More Tall' vs 'Taller' When Describing People
I’m writing a short story for my ESL class and got stuck on how to compare two people. For example, is it correct to say, 'Maria is more tall than Ana,' or should it be 'Maria is taller than Ana'? I’ve also seen sentences like, 'This book is more interesting than that one.'
Are there specific rules about when to use 'more' with an adjective or just add '-er' to the word? Some adjectives seem to follow different patterns and I'm not sure which is right. Any advice would be appreciated!
Context:
Writing for B2 upper-intermediate ESL class. Focus on formal written English.
What to Know
| Question You Likely Still Have | Direct Answer | How To Apply It |
|---|---|---|
| What is the core rule for confused using more tall? | If you catch yourself writing 'more tall,' change it to 'taller.' | Explanation: To choose between adding '-er' to an adjective or using 'more', there is a common pattern for comparatives: For most one-syllable adjectives, add '-er' (e.g., tall →… |
| How do I apply confused using more tall in a sentence like mine? | Explanation: To choose between adding '-er' to an adjective or using 'more', there is a common pattern for comparatives: For most one-syllable adjectives, add '-er' (e.g., tall →… | For longer adjectives (two or more syllables, except some ending in -y), use 'more' before the adjective (e.g., interesting → more interesting ). |
| What mistakes should I avoid with confused using more tall? | Incorrect: Maria is more tall than Ana. | Self-Check: Ask yourself: Does the adjective have one syllable (add '-er') or is it longer (use 'more')? |
3 Answers
Explanation:
To choose between adding '-er' to an adjective or using 'more', there is a common pattern for comparatives:
- For most one-syllable adjectives, add '-er' (e.g., tall → taller).
- For longer adjectives (two or more syllables, except some ending in -y), use 'more' before the adjective (e.g., interesting → more interesting).
- Adjectives ending in '-y' usually change to '-ier' (e.g., happy → happier).
Correct vs Incorrect Comparison:
- Correct: Maria is taller than Ana.
- Incorrect: Maria is more tall than Ana.
- Correct: This book is more exciting than that one.
- Incorrect: This book is excitinger than that one.
Practice:
Look at these examples. Decide if each is correct, then rewrite the incorrect one:
- This task is easier than the last.
- My bag is more heavy than yours.
Self-Check:
Ask yourself: Does the adjective have one syllable (add '-er') or is it longer (use 'more')? If you catch yourself writing 'more tall,' change it to 'taller.'
Explanation:
Let's compare similar structures for different adjectives:
- For adjectives with one syllable, like 'short', we add '-er': My brother is shorter than me.
- For adjectives with three or more syllables, use 'more': This explanation is more complicated than the other one.
Notice that 'more' isn't used with short adjectives. So, 'more tall' isn't correct—use 'taller' instead.
Near-identical Comparison:
- Leo is quicker than Mike. (one syllable: quick → quicker)
- This song is more beautiful than that. (three syllables: beautiful → more beautiful)
Practice Suggestion:
Pick five adjectives from your story draft. Try making comparative sentences with each, following these rules. For example: Who is braver, Sarah or Liam?
Feedback:
If you are unsure, check the number of syllables. Is it one? Use '-er'. Is it three or more? Use 'more'. For two-syllable adjectives, check a dictionary or trusted reference. Rewrite sentences using this system.
Explanation:
There is an easy rule for forming comparatives:
- With one-syllable and some two-syllable adjectives (like 'old' or 'happy'), add '-er': old → older, happy → happier.
- For most adjectives with two or more syllables, use 'more': serious → more serious.
Comparison:
- Correct: The window is cleaner than the door. ('clean' = one syllable)
- Correct: His explanation is more detailed than hers. ('detailed' = three syllables)
Practice:
Write two sentences: one comparing short adjectives ('fast/slow') using '-er', and one comparing longer adjectives ('comfortable/expensive') using 'more'.
Self-edit tip:
If you find yourself using 'more' before a short adjective, such as 'more old,' double-check; it likely needs just '-er.'
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