Okay, so this whole “more calm” or “calmer” thing really got under my skin the other day. I was trying to write an email, just a simple thing, trying to explain a situation needed a, well, calmer approach. Or was it a more calm approach?
Honestly, both sounded kinda okay in my head? But one felt a tiny bit scratchy, you know? Like when a word just doesn’t sit right. I typed “calmer,” then deleted it. Typed “more calm,” stared at it. Felt weird. Why was this simple word tripping me up?
First, I just went with my gut. “Calmer” felt… shorter? More direct? Usually, short words get the “-er” treatment, right? Like “faster,” “nicer,” “bigger.” “Calm” is pretty short. One syllable. So, “calmer” should be it.
My Little Investigation
But then I thought, hang on, I’ve definitely heard people say “more calm.” Especially when they really want to emphasize it. Like, “We need a much more calm discussion about this.” See? It doesn’t sound totally broken.
So, I did what I always do when grammar throws me a curveball. I just started poking around online. Didn’t go deep into heavy grammar sites, just quick searches, trying to get the general idea from everyday explanations.
Here’s what I basically re-learned or confirmed:
- One-syllable words: Usually add “-er”. Tall -> Taller. Fast -> Faster. Calm -> Calmer.
- Two-syllable words ending in -y: Change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add “-er”. Happy -> Happier. Busy -> Busier.
- Longer words (two syllables not ending in -y, or three+ syllables): Use “more”. Beautiful -> More beautiful. Interesting -> More interesting.
So, based on this simple stuff, “calm” is one syllable. Ding ding ding! “Calmer” should be the winner.
But Why “More Calm”?
Okay, so “calmer” is the standard, textbook way. Why does “more calm” still exist and not sound completely alien? My thinking is, sometimes people use “more” with even one-syllable adjectives for emphasis, or maybe when they’re comparing it with its opposite, like “less calm.” Saying “more calm” might feel like it puts a bit more weight on the “calm” part.
And let’s be real, English is messy. People don’t always follow the rules perfectly, and sometimes common usage makes things acceptable even if they bend the rules a bit. I’ve definitely seen both used in writing, even by people who should know better.
What I Decided
In the end, for my own writing, I decided to stick with calmer. It follows the pattern, it’s cleaner, and it avoids any potential “is that really right?” thoughts from whoever’s reading it. While “more calm” might pop out of my mouth in conversation sometimes, especially if I’m emphasizing it, when I’m writing and thinking deliberately, “calmer” just feels more solid.
It was just one of those little language rabbit holes you fall into sometimes. Spent maybe 15 minutes sorting it out, but hey, now I feel a bit clearer on it. It’s good to sort these things out, makes writing feel smoother afterwards.
