Learn English – Comparatives and superlatives for compound adjectives

word-usage

In a composition, I'm trying to make a comparison between three characters who, besides other unfavorable traits, are extremely rude and grabby. Choosing synonyms for the description, I faced the problem of using comparatives and superlatives of the adjectives ill-bred and tight-fisted.

Michael Swan says that some compound adjectives, such as good-looking and well-known, have two possible comparatives and superlatives – better/best-looking/known and more/most good-looking/well-known, but he still says "some compound adjectives", and I have found no other examples.

The question is:

What about the two which trouble me? Would it be correct and natural for a native English speaker to use "the tightest-fisted of the three" or "he's even iller-bred than the two", or will the use of more/the most with the compound adjectives like these be always a safe path?

Best Answer

First, you asked about other compound adjectives. Allow me to list some:

  • long-lasting
  • far-reaching
  • high-ranked
  • short-term
  • high-level
  • low-price

With regards to the question you pose, whether to use the superlative or more/most construction, @StoneyB is pretty spot-on (pun intended); with respect to writing for comprehension, the more/most construction is a safer bet. However, as long as the proper superlative is being used (such as ill-bred to worse-bred, or tight-fisted to tightest-fisted), use of that form is no less correct.

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