Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[worksmart]

According to the grammar rules, that "more" is added to words with two syllables or more to form comparatives.

And I don't know how to count syllables. My research shows that the word "strength" is syllable...

Why?

Thanks!

P.S. Some grammar rules say use "more" with disyllabic words (or higher) ...some say with trisyllabic(or higher)...

Which rule is correct?

[Anuradha Chepur]

"strength" is uttered at one shot, so it is one syllable.

By the rule I know of, more and most is added to adjectives with two or more syllables, to form the comparative and superlative degrees respectively. For monosyllabic adjectives, we add er/ier and est/iest.

[worksmart]

I am syllabifying the following sentence.

And (1) I (1) don't (1) know (1) how (1) to (1) count (1) syllables. (3) My(1) research (3) shows (1) that (1) the (1) word (1) "strength" (1) is syllable...(3)

[CP]

"Research" has two syllables, not three. Re-search.

Otherwise, quite right.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[asterix]

Strength, is not an adjective in any case, it is a noun.

Strong is the adjective; stronger, the comparative, and strongest the superlative.

[redset]

A good way to count syllables is to try and say the words with your mouth closed. You'll get a 'mmm!' sound for each syllable in the word, like so:

strength - mmm! (1 syllable)
research - mm-mmm! (2 syllables)
syllable - mm-mm-mmm! (3 syllables)
Dave's ESL Cafe - mmm-mm-mm-mm-mm-mmm! (6 syllables total)

[CP]

Dear Redset, (mm mmm-mm,)

Great answer! (Mm mm-mmm!)

I laughed out loud. (Mm mm mm mmm.)
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb