1. For
more and
most used in the comparison of adjectives, see
adjective 3–4. With adverbs,
more and
most are normally used when the adverb is formed with -
ly from an adjective, e.g.
more richly, more happily: see
-er and -est forms. The use of double comparatives, e.g.
They are more happier now, though once a feature of English style (and used for example by Shakespeare), has fallen out of use and is considered illiterate.
2. more than one. This phrase, though plural in form and meaning, conventionally takes a singular verb:
More than one doctor attends each patient. However, if the number following
than is higher than one, or if the phrase is couched in the form
more + plural noun +
than, then the whole phrase moves into the plural:
More than two doctors attend each patient /
More doctors than one attend each patient. The same happens if
more than one is followed by
of and a plural noun or pronoun:
More than one of the doctors attend each patient.
4. many more. Care needs to be taken to avoid the ambiguity of constructions in which
many more is followed by an adjective. In the sentence
Many more important tasks had to be done, it is unclear whether
more belongs with
many or with
important, i.e. whether all the tasks were important or only the additional ones. In speech, intonation usually clarifies the intended sense, but confusion can be caused when this kind of construction appears in written form.
4. the more. More is preceded by
the in certain idiomatic uses.
The is optional in the type
She is the more intelligent of the two, and obligatory in the set type
The more, the merrier, and when preceded by
all (
It is all the more interesting for being new).
5. For
more important and
more importantly, see
important, importantly.