Adjectives: More Perplexing, Most Perplexing

One-syllable adjectives usually form their comparatives by adding –er and superlatives by adding –est. Of course, there are irregular adjectives such as good, better, and best. But wrong, wronger, wrongest?

Three-syllable adjectives usually require “more” and “most.” Examples: transparent, more transparent, most transparent.

But some two-syllable adjectives are written both ways. The Gregg Reference Manual (9th edition, 2001) advises us to avoid some –er and –est forms: “your ear will tell you when.” In other words, we are on our own, and may heaven pity the foreigner.

What do you think of each of these?

1. Activer activest
2. Frugaler frugalest
3. Commoner commonest
4. Simpler simplest
5. Yellower yellowest
6. Purpler purplest
7. Oranger organgest
8. Worthier worthiest
9. Silverer silverest
10. Disturbeder disturbedest