The short answer
English uses exactly one method to form a comparative. Either add -er to the adjective or put more before it — never both at once. “More better” uses both methods simultaneously, making it a double comparative.
Which method to use?
| Adjective type | Comparative method | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 syllable | Add -er | tall → taller, fast → faster, cold → colder |
| 1 syllable ending in -e | Add -r | large → larger, wise → wiser |
| 1 syllable CVC pattern | Double final consonant + -er | big → bigger, hot → hotter, thin → thinner |
| 2 syllables ending in -y | Change -y to -i, add -er | happy → happier, easy → easier, early → earlier |
| 2+ syllables (other) | Use 'more' | careful → more careful, honest → more honest |
| Irregular | Unique form (see below) | good → better, bad → worse, far → further/farther |
Common Double Comparative Errors
more better→better (irregular)
more worse→worse
more taller→taller
more faster→faster
more easier→easier
more cleverer→more clever / cleverer
Irregular Comparatives — Memorise These
These do not follow either rule — they have unique comparative and superlative forms:
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad / ill | worse | worst |
| far | farther / further | farthest / furthest |
| little (amount) | less | least |
| many / much | more | most |
| old (people) | elder | eldest |
| old (things) | older | oldest |
| late (order) | latter | last |
| late (time) | later | latest |
Also watch: double superlatives
The same rule applies to superlatives. “Most tallest”, “most fastest”, “most worst” are all double superlatives and are always wrong. Use tallest, fastest, worst.