Comparatives

[Hallen]

Hi,

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

Thanks

[Casiopea]

"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.

[Hallen]

Thank you very much for your help.

[phmoni00]

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.

[phmoni00]

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.

[MikeNewYork]

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.