Comperative

[unaccounted for]

What should I say to define,say,a chimney was not as sooty as I expected,as less sootier ?

Or what form do the similar adjectives take ? ...hard : less harder..shy :less shier ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[5jj]

A was sootier/harder than B.
B was not as sooty/hard as A.
B was less sooty/hard than B.

A was more difficult than B.
B was not as difficult as A.
B was less difficult than A.

 

[nouamaneer]

What should I say to define,say,a chimney was not sooty as I expected,as less sootier ?

Or what form do the similar adjectives take ? ...hard : less harder..shy :less shier ?

Thanks in advance.

Comparisons with 'as .... as' take an adjective in its original form. That means: not as sooty as I expected. Which simply implies the first element as less sooty.

On another hand, we can not combine less with sootier. 'Less' goes for longer adjectives, three and more syllables.

Hopes this helps,

 

[unaccounted for]

Thank you both.

I understand that "less sooty" is gramatically correct form,though it sounds to native speakers a bit awkward.

 

[5jj]

Comparisons with 'as .... as' take an adjective in its original form. That means: not as sooty as I expected. Which simply implies the first element [STRIKE]as[/STRIKE] is less sooty than I expected.

On [STRIKE]an[/STRIKE] the other hand, we can not combine 'less' with 'sootier'. 'Less' goes for longer adjectives, three and more syllables.

That is not correct. We cannot use 'less' with a comparative form of any length. We can't say that one thing is 'less harder/sootier' than another, just as we can't say that one thing is 'less more difficult" than another. One thing is either more or less adjective than another; it can't be both. It has nothing to do with the length of the word.

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you both.

I understand that "less sooty" is grammatically correct form, though it sounds to native speakers a bit awkward.

"less sooty" doesn't sound at all awkward to me.

 

[5jj]

I'd be more likely, normally, to say 'A is sootier than B' than 'B is less sooty than A', but that doesn't mean that I find the second version awkward.

 

[nouamaneer]

That is not correct. We cannot use 'less' with a comparative form of any length. We can't say that one thing is 'less harder/sootier' than another, just as we can't say that one thing is 'less more difficult" than another. One thing is either more or less adjective than another; it can't be both. It has nothing to do with the length of the word.

I guess that's what I've already said myself. I can not see why you quoted me when you hadn't understood my message!

I agree with your message as that's what intended to explain.

 

[birdeen's call]

Unaccounted for, please note that the word is "comparative", not "comperative".

 

[5jj]

I guess that's what I've already said myself. I can not see why you quoted me when you hadn't understood my message!

I did understand your message, and it was not correct. You wrote

'Less' goes for longer adjectives, three and more syllables.

That is not true. 'Less' can go with adjectives of any length, but it cannot go with comparatives.

 

[nouamaneer]

I did understand your message, and it was not correct. You wroteThat is not true. 'Less' can go with adjectives of any length, but it cannot go with comparatives.

No, you didn't. We use "less" to form comparative adjectives as it is tha case for "less interesting". Don't tell me that even this former example doesn't exist.

Thanks

 

[birdeen's call]

No, you didn't. We use "less" to form comparative adjectives as it is tha case for "less interesting". Don't tell me that even this former example doesn't exist.

As 5jj said, you said

'Less' goes for longer adjectives, three and more syllables.

This is false.

 

[nouamaneer]

As 5jj said, you said



This is false.

Is the "three" part that is false. Check this out: Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives | EFLnet

Thanks

 

[birdeen's call]

Is the "three" part that is false. Check this out: Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives | EFLnet

Thanks

I don't quite see how this page is relevant. Could you quote the relevant part and explain why it is relevant?

 

[bhaisahab]

Is the "three" part that is false. Check this out: Forming Comparative and Superlative Adjectives | EFLnet

Thanks

'Less' goes for longer adjectives, three and more syllables. This is false. 'Less' goes for longer adjectives, This is also false.

 

[nouamaneer]

Not convinced! You keep repeating the same thing: false. I don't need it. Give evidence or where you got your conviction.
Thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

Evidence?
How about millions and millions of words written by native speakers who use "less" with words of one and two syllables?

You seem less and less happy as this thread continues. Oh -- look -- two syllables.
This one is a little less pricey than that one, but both are beyond my budget.
He is less skillful than his brother, but his customer service is so much better.

Really, it could go on and on and on.

 

[5jj]

Perhaps you are a little less sure that we are wrong now, nouamaneer.

Incidentally, in the article to which you provided a link, there is no reference at all to 'less' in connection with words of any number of syllables.

 

[birdeen's call]

Not convinced! You keep repeating the same thing: false. I don't need it. Give evidence or where you got your conviction.
Thanks.

I find this post rude. Please use "please" with your imperatives.

 

[5jj]

I find this post rude. Please use "please" with your imperatives.

I provide this link for others, BC. Your command of English is such that I know you don't need it.