Grammar: Understanding Comparative Degree Usage

The comparative degree is used in English grammar to compare two entities (people, places, things, ideas). For most one-syllable adjectives and some two-syllable adjectives, we add '-er' (e.g., 'tall' becomes 'taller'). For longer adjectives (typically those with two or more syllables, or ending in -ful, -ous, -ish, -less), we use 'more' or 'less' before the adjective (e.g., 'difficult' becomes 'more difficult' or 'less difficult').

A common mistake is forming a 'double comparative', which involves using both the '-er' ending and the word 'more'/'less' simultaneously, or using illogical combinations. This is grammatically incorrect.

Analyzing Sentence Options for Correct Comparative Degree

Let's break down each option to identify the correct use of the comparative degree:

• Option (a): He is more smarter than any one in the class.
  • Issue: This sentence contains a double comparative. 'Smarter' is already the comparative form of 'smart'. Using 'more' before it is redundant and incorrect. The correct structure is simply 'He is smarter than any one in the class.'
• Option (b): This bus is less more crowded than the other.
  • Issue: This phrase uses an incorrect and nonsensical combination of comparative modifiers ('less more'). When comparing a longer adjective like 'crowded', you should use either 'less crowded' or 'more crowded', but not both together in this manner.
• Option (c): This sum is less complicated than the previous one.
  • Correctness: The adjective 'complicated' is a longer adjective. The standard way to form its comparative degree is by using 'less' or 'more' before it. Here, 'less complicated' correctly indicates that the current sum is not as complex as the previous one. This usage adheres to the rules of comparative degree formation for longer adjectives.
• Option (d): The game is more easier than expected.
  • Issue: This sentence also suffers from the double comparative error. 'Easier' is the comparative form of 'easy'. Adding 'more' is incorrect. The sentence should read 'The game is easier than expected.'

Summary of Correct Comparative Usage

After evaluating each sentence, option (c) stands out as the only one that correctly employs the comparative degree. It accurately compares two sums using the appropriate structure ('less' + long adjective) without violating grammatical rules.