Comparisons in English confuse many would-be grammarians. Words with less than three syllables typically use the suffix er for comparisons and est for superlatives. Examples: John is taller than Juan. Susie is the faster runner in her class.

Words with three or more syllables use the modifiers more or most. Examples: Sean is more effective than Jean. Katie is the most productive employee.

My elementary-school teachers worshipped these sacrosanct rules. Today’s linguists take a more wishy-washy approach, mumbling that words with two syllables can go either way. One site advised that er and est should be used UNLESS the newly created words sound awkward. Glad we cleared that up.

Comparisons include a subgroup of irregular words that march to the beat of their own drummers. Examples: good (better, best), many (more, most), and bad (worse, worst).

Another group called absolute adjectives allow no comparison or superlative. Examples: perfect (nothing can be MORE perfect) and unique (something cannot be uniquer).

I’m a self-professed grammar geek with the proud motto To Serve and Correct. Therefore, strive to be righter in your comparisons and most carefulest in your grammar. Otherwise, you might look like the most foolishest one of aller.