Use of Less

[valterluciom]

Is it possible to use de adverb less with one-syllable adjective? For exemple:
I am less shy than my brother.
I am less happy today than when I was a child.
Or it can be used only with those adjectives which form the comparative with more?

 

[schmoozed]

I see no major error in those sentences. An alternative can be...

I shy less than my brother

I’m happier now than when I was a child

 

[stuartnz]

Is it possible to use de adverb less with one-syllable adjective? For exemple:
I am less shy than my brother.
I am less happy today than when I was a child.
Or it can be used only with those adjectives which form the comparative with more?

Though not a professional teacher, I would say that both your examples are fine. "Less" is often used to give a fine gradation of degree. For example, "less happy" may be different in degree to "unhappier".

 

[stuartnz]

I see no major error in those sentences. An alternative can be...

I shy less than my brother

I’m happier now than when I was a child

The second alternative you offer is, of course, saying the exact opposite of the original poster's statement.

 

[schmoozed]

Yep Stuartnz

Regret that

Maybe

I was happier as a child than now