'More strict' vs 'stricter'

[Mark77]

Hey,

I have surfed a bit and I know that 'stricter' is preferred but is it all right to use 'more strict'?

 

[Shakespeare's brother]

Simply, 'no'. Stricter is the correct superlative.

 

[susiedqq]

I don't think there is such a word as "stricter"

The rules are strict.
The writing rules are more strict.
The speaking rules are the most strict.


There is the noun form: strickness and the adverbial form strictly.

 

[Shakespeare's brother]

Susie, perhaps another US/UK difference?: this from the BBC website today -

BBC NEWS | Europe | Euro MPs back stricter gun laws

 

[susiedqq]

Yes, you are correct. I just don't like it

Stricter and strickest can be used.

(I'll have my Crow BBQ'ed please)

 

[Mark77]

Ok, I'm still a bit confused but thanks a lot anyway. I think it's safer to use 'stricter'. Cambridge Online Dictionaries seems to think so, too.

I'm studying English and having a hard time with stuff like that. Did I just use 'stuff' on a language forum?

 

[Shakespeare's brother]

Mark, 'stuff' in the context you used it just then was coined in 1580...don't sweat about it!!!

 

[Deepurple]

IMHO, both are acceptable.

 

[VSPrasad]

strict (comparative more strict, superlative most strict)

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/strict?rdfrom=Strict

comparative stricter, superlative strictest

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=1861715599

 

[Roman 36]

Hi

I heard "more strict" the other day and it sounded a little odd.

The rule goes that if you have a single syllable adjective, then add "er".

As "strict" fits that description, I'd go with "stricter". That, of course, is not to say that in some parts of the US, Canada, or even the UK, "more strict" is being used and considered "natural".

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi

I heard "more strict" the other day and it sounded a little odd.

The rule goes that if you have a single syllable adjective, then add "er".

As "strict" fits that description, I'd go with "stricter".

Absolutely correct, whatever anyone may say to the contrary, the rule is as you say.(with the obvious exceptions of good, bad, far)

 

[timGluckman]

Actually the prescriptive "more strict" is used far more. If you google the two to see how often they are used, you get over 5.3 million for it, and only 820,000 for "stricter".

 

[Jimmy08]

I think, 'very strict' sounds a lot better than the two...

ie. 'My mother is a very strict person compare to my father.'

But, I would use stricter in the following sentence:

'My mother is a lot stricter compare to my father'.

Also,

'My mother is more strict when my father isn't around.

 

[Trance Freak]

I think, 'very strict' sounds a lot better than the two...

ie. 'My mother is a very strict person compare to my father.'

But, I would use stricter in the following sentence:

'My mother is a lot stricter compare to my father'.

Also,

'My mother is more strict when my father isn't around.

Why come up with ungrammatical explanations when it is obvious that "strict" is a short adjective. Therefore, the comparative form of this adj is simply "stricter" & its superlative form is "the strictest."
"More strict" is :cross:
Otherwise, "beautifuler" would be correct.:-?

 

[Jimmy08]

Why come up with ungrammatical explanations when it is obvious that "strict" is a short adjective. Therefore, the comparative form of this adj is simply "stricter" & its superlative form is "the strictest."
"More strict" is :cross:
Otherwise, "beautifuler" would be correct.:-?

huh?

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly here.

You wrote that 'more strict is wrong' and you also believe that 'stricter' is also incorrect.

Obviously, there's no such word as 'beautifuler'. However, you can say,
"she is more beautiful than..."

By the way, I forgot to mention that I'm no expert in English. I'm just a learner.

 

[Linguist__]

Would I be right in clarifying the general consensus here?

'Strict' 'stricter' 'strictest' - correct

'Strict' 'more strict' 'most strict' - correct

Which you say is up to you. Generally, American English goes for the suffix, British English goes for the two word combination. Neither is more or less correct than the other.

 

[Trance Freak]

huh?

I'm not sure if I understood you correctly here.

You wrote that 'more strict is wrong' and you also believe that 'stricter' is also incorrect.

Obviously, there's no such word as 'beautifuler'. However, you can say,
"she is more beautiful than..."

By the way, I forgot to mention that I'm no expert in English. I'm just a learner.

NO!!!! stricter is correct!
+ re-read it again, I said if more strict was correct then beautifuler would be correct as well. :-?

 

[Linguist__]

NO!!!! stricter is correct!
+ re-read it again, I said if more strict was correct then beautifuler would be correct as well. :-?

The rules of language occur after the language is established. There are plenty of words which do not fit the '1 syllable = -er, -est' rule. There are also plently of words which can both be made comparative/superlative by adding the suffixes, or by using 'more __'.

Indeed, almost all words that use the suffix -er or -est can be said using 'more ___'.

What makes 'strict' (and whatever other words are posible) able to be both isn't a matter for rules as much as it's a matter for usage. People say 'stricter' and people say 'more strict'. I can assure you that 'more strict' is more common where I am from, and I hear and see both in the media and in writing.

 

[Jimmy08]

NO!!!! stricter is correct!
+ re-read it again, I said if more strict was correct then beautifuler would be correct as well. :-?

Sorry, I'm a bit slow here...

I don't understand why you compare "more strict" with "beautifuler". Why don't you compare "more strict" with "more beautiful" instead?

You believe that "stricter" is correct, but "beautifuler" is incorrect.

 

[Trance Freak]

Sorry, I'm a bit slow here...

I don't understand why you compare "more strict" with "beautifuler". Why don't you compare "more strict" with "more beautiful" instead?

You believe that "stricter" is correct, but "beautifuler" is incorrect.

Grammatically speaking, there is no such thing as "more strict" even though it is commonly used. Lots of native speakers make mistakes, even us in our 1st lge. I compared "more strict" to "beautifuler" because the latter is incorrect both syntactically & grammatically.
beautifuller & beautifuler don't exsist, & neither does "more strict" - again grammatically speaking.