Ah, the age-old question of “simplier” versus “simpler”! It’s a common mistake that many English learners, and even native speakers, make. But fear not, for I am here to shed some light on this grammatical puzzle.
Let’s get straight to the point – “simpler” is the correct form. Yes, that’s right! When comparing two things and wanting to express that one is less complex or easier than the other, we use the comparative form of the adjective – in this case, “simpler.”
To understand why “simpler” is correct, let’s explore the rules of comparative adjectives. In English, adjectives usually have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative. The positive form is used to describe one thing, while the comparative form is used to compare two things, and the superlative form is used to compare three or more things.
Now, let’s compare the words “simple” and “simpler.” “Simple” is the positive form of the adjective, which means it describes a singular noun without any comparison. For example, “The instructions are simple to follow.”
However, if we have two sets of instructions, and one set is less complex than the other, we would say, “The first set of instructions is simpler than the second set.” Here, we are comparing the two sets of instructions and using the comparative form “simpler.”
To further illustrate this point, let’s consider a few more examples:
1. “This math problem is simple, but that one is even simpler!”
2. “My old phone was simple to use, but this new one is simpler.”
3. “John’s essay was good, but Jane’s was simpler and more concise.”
In all of these examples, we are comparing two things and using the comparative form “simpler.” It’s important to remember that when we compare two things, we need to use the comparative form of the adjective, not the positive form.
Now, you might be wondering why “simplier” sounds tempting, and why some people mistakenly use it. Well, it’s probably because many other adjectives follow a different pattern. For instance, we have “happier” instead of “more happy,” or “faster” instead of “more fast.” This can lead to confusion when it comes to the word “simple.”
To sum it all up, when comparing two things and expressing that one is less complex or easier than the other, we use the comparative form “simpler.” So, next time you consider using “simplier,” remember that simplicity is key, and “simpler” is the correct choice. Happy learning, and may your journey to mastering English become simpler each day!