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Which is correct: simpler or more simple?

By Jared Dees

Many years ago I took a two-day course on Chicago Manual of Style. It was a great review of high school English classes and I learned much more than I expected. The lesson that stood out to me the most was that grammar and usage is, for the most part, a relative science. There are general rules, but the rules change and exceptions can be made.

An editor recently changed a sentence I had written in a manuscript from “more simple” to “simpler.” That seemed right to me. “Simpler” is just one word and “more simple” is two. The more simpler the better!

I did a little research to figure out when to use “-er” and when to use “more” (as well as “-est” and “most”) so that I don’t make the same mistake again.

This rule is best to remember:

If a word is three syllables or more, then use “more.” 

In the case of a word like “simple” (one syllable), use “simpler” rather than “more simple.”

For a word like “beautiful” (three syllables), it is better to write “more beautiful.”

Nonetheless, writing “more simple” is acceptable.

“Simpler” just sounds better.

Source inspiration from: Quora.

June 16, 2018 Filed Under: Author Tips, On Writing, Which is correct?

About Jared Dees

Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children.

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Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children. See all of Jared's Books →

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