More and most, and when to avoid them

Dear editors,

Lately, I’ve noticed some errors around the words “more” and “most.” When you’re writing about something that’s more something or the most something, watch out for cases when a suffix is correct instead.

A few examples:
more strict → stricter
more dense → denser
more quick → quicker

most small → smallest
most happy → happiest
most narrow → narrowest
most well known → best known

There are a couple rules of thumb when it comes to “more” and “most.” Generally, one-syllable adjectives take the suffixes “-er” and “-est” rather than “more” and “most”: tallest, longer.

In many cases, two-syllable words use the suffixes “-er” and “-est,” too: dizzy becomes dizzier and dizziest, for instance.

But some two-syllable words use “more” and “most”: more bizarre, the most famous.

And generally, three-syllable words use “more” and “most”: more difficult, most memorable.

But in comparisons, you should often use “more” or “most” even with one- or two-syllable adjectives: more happy than sad, not happier than sad.

Check your proper names!

Proper name errors are easy to commit, and they make us look really bad. So here’s your periodic reminder to always check that you’re spelling the names of your sources and subjects correctly. A quick Google search will reveal many errors, and should absolutely be part of your editing process.

Copy News

The y’all dividing line in the United States (H/T Patrick Sisson). New York has an annual book-sorting competition. And on the Podcast Why’d You Push That Button?, Kara Verlaney, The Verge’s copy editor, talks about punctuation on the internet.

A reminder: Our style is startup and nonprofit, not start-up or non-profit.

Have a great week,

Emma