More proper versus properer

Question

I would like to know how I can say "más adecuado". Can I say "more proper" or "properer"?

Answer 1

Yes, you can say:

1) "This dress is more proper than that one," which means it's more appropriate.

2) "Robert speaks a lot of slang. My English is more proper than Robert's English," which means that I use a more standard way of speaking than Robert does.

No, you cannot say "properer"because it is not an English word.

It is better to replace "more proper" with "more suitable" or "more appropriate" - pescador, Sep 19, 2009

I agree. - --Mariana--, Sep 19, 2009

Answer 2

Hi Nila,

I think it would be best to use the online Merriam-Webster dictionary. If an adjective should use more or most, then the dictionary will NOT list "inflected forms"

• Check out these entries
• simple, has inflected forms simpler, simplest
• clever, has no inflected forms, so use more/most
• sure, has inflected forms surer, surest (I was wrong!!! Surer has a double-er sound, which sounds horrible to me...I think many people say more sure and surest...probably because we naturally don't like the double-er sound of surer...it's difficult to say it clearly: sure and surer sound almost identical)
• rowdy, has inflected forms rowdier, rowdiest
• robust, has no inflected form, so use more/most
• fun, has no inflected form, so use more/most (trust me, lots of people say funner and funnest)

The Merriam-Webster dictionary is a good source if you have doubts about a particular adjective's comparative and superlative forms. I will try to find a resource that lists common rules and maybe some irregular forms.

Good examples. - --Mariana--, Sep 20, 2009

Although it does not sound bad to me (surer..see my comment to Marianne's post), I would also say "more sure" in some cases. That does not sound wrong to me either. - Janice, Sep 20, 2009

By the way, dictionary entry nothwithstanding, which just goes to show that many of us are not that secure in our knowledge or use of English grammar, I would use "cleverer"....well would´ve. "You're a cleverer boy than most!" or? does it sound so bad? - Janice, Sep 20, 2009

Whatever works for you, as a native English speaker, you know what works best for you and those you communicate with. - webdunce, Sep 22, 2009

Answer 3

Nila,

I just want to add...

Whenever an adjective ends in an r sound, we usually use more instead of adding another -er onto the end of it. (example: sure, more sure, surest)

Also, some two-syllable words can take an -r or -er on the end. (Example: simple, simpler, simplest). But, with two-syllable words, if you are unsure, use more or most instead of -er or -est.

Except in the case of words ending in an r sound, don't use more with one syllable words because it will sound babyish.

Also, be careful as some adjectives have irregular comparative and superlative forms -- example: good, better, best.

Answer 4

This relates to how many people say "funner" instead of "more fun,", especially among children/teens.

"Going to a party is funner than doing homework" is heard a lot, when the the correct version should be "Going to a party is more fun than doing homework."

Using "funner" instead of "more fun" is more common than saying "properer" instead of "more proper". But both are wrong.

Answer 5

Nila Said

Eddy, I was trying to express something like: "Robert speaks a lot of slang. My English is more proper than Robert's English," which means that I use a more standard way of speaking than Robert does.

I have already said that "more proper" may be accurate but to me it doesn't sound right and this is just my personal opinion. Given the context you mention above I would choose my English is better or more accurate.

To say the truth, I cannot distinguish very well the difference among: accurate, proper, appropiate, suitable and so on. They sound the same to me. - nila45, Sep 21, 2009

Answer 6

Eddy said:

but definitely not more proper.

Here in the USA these sentences are correct:

1) "Robert speaks a lot of slang. My English is more proper than Robert's English." (which means that I use a more standard way of speaking than Robert does)

2) "Could you find something more proper to wear to the funeral?" (which means that the dress you are wearing is not appropriate for the occasion)

Although I can see Eddy's point that "more appropriate" would fit very nicely here, Nila was specifically asking how to use the phrase "more proper."

---

Also, I found these examples on the Internet:

1) Can anybody help me revise this wordy sentence in more proper way?

2) There was great need of a more proper observance of the Christian Sabbath.

3) Which font is considered more proper to use in a resume?

3) A Fisher Exact Test would be more proper in this case.

Answer 7

Hi Nila,

Here are some good rules for comparatives and superlatives.

Here are the common irregular ones.

All one syllable words, except those with irregular constructions, use the -er/-est construction (whether or not they end in an er sound, I was simply wrong when I asserted that we never double the ending er sound).

Two syllable words generally use the more/most construction, but under circumstances you can choose whether to use the -er/-est or more/most construction.

Two syllable words ending in -y, -ly, or -ow can use the -er/-est construction.

Two-syllable words ending in -le, -er, or -ure can use the -er/-est construction (even though I repeated said that we don't ever double the er sound at the end of a word).

A few two-syllable words like handsome, polite, pleasant, common, and quiet that can use the -er/-est construction.

But remember, that with all two-syllable words you can always use the more/most construction. It's just that some two-syllable words (the ones listed above) can use the -er/-est construction.

Words with more than two syllables will always use the more/most construction.

Great links! - --Mariana--, Sep 20, 2009

Answer 8

I believe that Nick was talking about children learning English who will try to say "funner" instead of the correct way, which is "more fun" (This party was more fun than the last one).

The word "sure" is a tough one. Just going by ear (and not the rules) I'd say it's another exception because "surer" just doesn't sound right. Also, I can only think of one example with "more sure."

Nila says: Are you sure about that statement, Marianne?

Marianne responds: I've never been more sure in my life."

"Surer" sounds right to me. For example: I was surer than ever. That sounds good doesn't it? I just wish i were:-) - Janice, Sep 20, 2009

Answer 9

Although it may be correct, I don´t think I would ever say more proper. Depending on context I might use any of the following.

More accurate, more suitable, more appropriate, more decent, more respectable, more genuine, more thorough, etc, etc, but definitely not more proper.

Answer 10

Here is a very nice study page for English comparatives that gives some rules that will help you.

Answer 11

Yes, Eddy. You are right.

Mi inglés es mejor que el tuyo (My English is better than yours)

Mi inglés es más exacto que el tuyo (My English is more accurate than yours).

Those two sentences sound better than "My English is more proper than yours" (Mi inglés es más adecuado que él tuyo).

Answer 12

Eddy, I was trying to express something like:

"Robert speaks a lot of slang. My English is more proper than Robert's English," which means that I use a more standard way of speaking than Robert does.

In this sentence, "more proper" is a good option.

Answer 13

After seeing Webdunce's website, I can see it is very difficult to have more doubts. Congratulations. This thread has became the most interesting.

Thank you.

Answer 14

Inflected forms = declinaciones. That sounds more understandable. Now it is better.

Answer 15

I am happy to have other links. And I have had a look at the dictionary. It is interesting to have such information.

Anyway, there is something new for me. Could you explain what "inflected form" means?. I am sure it must be something important to know.

HOla NIla, inflected form: declinaciones - 00494d19, Sep 21, 2009