[Vocabulary] comparative and superlative of "right" and "left"

[sitifan]

1. rightest, leftest.
2. rightmost, leftmost
3. most right, most left.

Which of the above pairs is the superlative of "right" and "left"?

4. more right, more left.
5. righter, lefter.

Which of the above pairs is the comparative of "right" and "left"?

 

[emsr2d2]

We don't use any of them in the superlative. In what sort of sentence do you imagine using such words? The only context I can think of for the comparative is politics.

As far as politics go, I'm more left than right.

 

[Skrej]

'Rightmost' and 'leftmost' do exist. You could refer to the rightmost/leftmost statue in a row, for example.

Alternately, you could refer to the 'furthest' right/left statue.

The only way I can think of using them as comparative would be 'further right/left'.

"No, not that statue, the one further right."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In measurement, use farther and farthest, which refer to distance:

- The one standing farthest right looks like the thief.
- To get to the balcony, take the staircase farther to the left.

In politics, use further and furthest, which refer to degree:

- As she's grown older, she's moved further right.
- Of all his brothers and sisters, he's the furthest to the left.