If someone says something is ‘gooder’ than the other, the person must be a peculiar user of English language. He can be faintly literate. He can be a comedian, just as he can be drunk. Whatever his situation, the expression is likely to attract a gale of mockery. The reason is that ‘better’ is the correct comparative form of ‘good’, which even a kindergarten pupil is expected to know.
But if you are among those who mock the good-gooder-goodest jokers, I advise you exercise restraint when you hear some other similar strange comparative sounds. What will, for instance, be your reaction if a fellow says something is pleasanter than the other? Pleasanter? Does it not sound almost as awkward as ‘gooder’? It does – yet, it is not a blunder. Yes, you can say something or an experience is pleasanter than the other because it is a correct usage.
The fact is that there are some English adjectives which change to the comparative and superlative forms in dramatic ways. In that category are those that accept the -er and more- patterns. In the superlative form, they can also be preceded by ‘most’ or attract the -est suffix. Although a pattern may be more popular than the other, the choice ultimately belongs to the speaker or writer. ‘Pleasant’ is one of such terms:
The environment is more pleasant than where we held the meeting yesterday. (Correct)
The environment is pleasanter than where we held the meeting yesterday. (Also correct)
The environment is the most pleasant of the three you have shown me. (Correct)
The environment is the pleasantest of the three you have shown me. (Also correct)
Politer
Consider ‘politer’ too! It sounds odd but it is an acceptable word. ‘Polite’ is also flexible in its comparative and superlative transformations. You either use more/most or adopt the er/est format. In other words, these are all correct expressions:
The way you stated the fact is polite.
The way you stated the fact is more polite.
The way you stated the fact is politer.
The way you stated the fact is the most polite.
The way you stated the fact is the politest.
Handsomer
I first encountered this word – handsomer – in one of the novels of legendary writer, the late Professor Chinua Achebe. If my memory still cooperates with me, it is either in Arrow of God or No Longer at Ease. That day, when I heard Achebe’s narrator say ‘handsomer’, I felt as puzzled as you were likely to have been at hearing ‘pleasanter’ or ‘politer’ in this lesson. But, now, I know better that ‘handsome’ is one of the words that command double portion as far as this topic is concerned:
Davido is more handsome than Wizkid. (Correct – at least grammatically speaking.)
Davido is handsomer than Wizkid. (Correct)
Davido is the most handsome of the reigning afrobeats artistes – including Burna Boy. (Correct)
Davido is the handsomest of all the reigning afrobeats artistes – including ‘Dangote still dey find money’ singer, Burna Boy.
Other examples
Other words in the group include common, cruel, gentle, simple, stupid, narrow and likely. So, all of these are acceptable expressions:
Which is commoner: N5 or N100 note?
Which is more common: N5 or N100 note?
Which is the commonest naira denomination now?
Which is the most common naira denomination now?
What the boy did is more stupid than I had feared.
What the boy did is stupider than I had feared.
What the boy did is the most stupid thing.
What the boy did is the stupidest thing.
Last note
Firstly, I have a special assignment for you. Construct your own sentences using the other examples (cruel, gentle, likely etc.) in both possible comparative and superlative ways. Submit it via lasisienglishatgmail.com. Meanwhile, this is different from the normal homework you have at the end of the lesson.
Secondly, although the -er/est version of the adjectives discussed are correct and acceptable, it may be advisable you stick to the common version in some formal contexts. These include examination and interview situations. The commonsense reason is that the teacher/marker or interviewer/employer may not know that you are speaking good English when you say ‘politer’ or ‘crueler’. Unfortunately, you may not be given an opportunity to explain yourself! So, approach and own the (new) knowledge with wisdom.
Credit: Akeem Lasisi