#1  
Old 28-Oct-2005, 11:39
Hallen
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Comparatives

Hi,

How can I make comparisons with adjectives ending in -ed like "tired" or "bored"? tireder than? boreder than?

Thanks
  #2  
Old 29-Oct-2005, 01:23
Casiopea's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,971
Member Type: Other
Default Re: Comparatives

"tired" and "bored" are exceptions to the rule. They are di-syllabic words (i.e., they each have two syllables, or they can be read that way) which makes them compatible with comparative "more":

EX: "tired" has two syllables (tai ' rd), so "more tired".
EX: "bored" has two syllables (bo ' [w]rd), so "more bored".

The 2nd syllable 'rd is somewhat of a maverick. You see, "r" is not a vowel, but it does have vowel-like properties, so it either functions as the syllable's nucleus (i.e., tai'rd, bo'[w]rd) or it colors the vowel before it (i.e., bord), or it does both. That is, mono-syllablic, bord and di-syllabic, bo'[w]rd). So, rd, not -ed, is subject to interpretation. The "e" of -ed is not pronounced in "tired" or "bored". It's silent.

mono-syllabic
"tired" has only one vowel (taird), which makes it a mono-syllabic word, so "tireder", not "more tired".

di-syllabic
"tired" has two vocalic sounds (tai'rd), which makes it a di-syllabic word, so "more tired", not "tireder".

Similarly,

"bored" has one vowel (bord), so "boreder".
"bored" has two vocalic sounds (bo'[w]rd), so "more bored"

In short, if you pronounce "bored" as one syllable, then it takes comparative -er; if you pronounce "bored" as two syllables, then it takes comparative "more".

Check here also (scroll down to the middle of the page):
http://ceds.vu.edu.au/webbja/comparisons2.htm

Furthemore, distribution also plays a part:

EX: If I get any more tired than I am now, I'll be (even) tireder.

"more tired than" expresses a comparison structurally, whereas "tireder" doesn't:

Comparison (X & Y): X = more . . . than Y
Adjective (X, no Y): X = (even) -er.

Speakers also alternate the forms:

EX: I feel even more bored now than I did before.
EX: I feel even boreder now than I did before.
  #3  
Old 02-Nov-2005, 11:33
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 8
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Comparatives

Thank you very much for your help.
  #4  
Old 25-Oct-2006, 22:22
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Default Re: Comparatives

Hello,

Can you explain me how can I know when it is a one syllable word or a two syllable word, for example, how do I know that expensive is a 2 syllable word and then I use more expensive than.

Please help me, Can you tell me if there is a rule to follow?

thanks a lot.
  #5  
Old 25-Oct-2006, 22:29
Newbie
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Default Re: Comparatives

Hello!!

Can you explain me or how can I identify a one syllable word of a two or more syllable word please?

Thanks a lot.
  #6  
Old 25-Oct-2006, 22:48
MikeNewYork's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 6,073
Member Type: Academic
Default Re: Comparatives

Quote:
Originally Posted by phmoni00 View Post
Hello,

Can you explain me how can I know when it is a one syllable word or a two syllable word, for example, how do I know that expensive is a 2 syllable word and then I use more expensive than.

Please help me, Can you tell me if there is a rule to follow?

thanks a lot.
Please start a new thread when you have a new question.

You have to be able to pronounce the word to figure that out. Or you can check a dictionary.

Ex pen sive has three syllables.
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
comparatives


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[feeling] Annoying English?! Wai_Wai Ask a Teacher 12 13-Nov-2006 08:59


All times are GMT. The time now is 01:52.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.