The English language has its own quirks, one of which is the correct use of adjectives. As a non-native speaker, many people find it challenging to differentiate between two or more adjectives describing the same object. This is particularly true when it comes to using smarter or more smart. Both are adjectives that describe intelligence and the ability to think critically. However, they are not interchangeable. In this article, we will explain the difference between smarter and more smart and give you examples of when to use each one.
Meaning of Smarter and More Smart
The word smart has a few different meanings, which include intelligent, stylish, and quick-witted. It can be used in various contexts and can describe a person, idea, or thing. When we use smart to describe a person, we mean that they are clever, knowledgeable, and able to think for themselves. When used to describe an outfit, we mean that it is fashionable and well put together. In the context of technology, smart describes a product that is connected to the internet and can communicate with other technology.
The comparative form of smart is smarter. Smarter is used to describe a person who is more intelligent, quick-witted, or able to think critically than another person. For example, if we want to compare two students in a class and one is very intelligent and quick to understand concepts, we might describe them as smarter than the other student.
On the other hand, more smart is used when we want to compare something that is not necessarily related to intelligence or quick-wittedness. For example, we might say that a car is more smartly designed than another car, meaning that it is more elegantly and efficiently designed.
When to Use Smarter and More Smart
The choice between smarter and more smart depends on what you are describing. If you are describing a person or animal’s intelligence, you should always use smarter. For example, if you want to say that your dog is very intelligent, you can say that he is smarter than other dogs. If you want to compare the intelligence of two people, you can say that John is smarter than Tom.
On the other hand, if you are describing a thing or an object, you should use more smart. For example,
“The new car is more smartly designed than the old one.”
“The new phone is more smartly built than the older version.”
The reason we use more smart in these cases is that smart refers to something that is not directly related to intelligence. We use smart in the sense that something is designed or executed intelligently, but not necessarily meaning that it is more intelligent than another object.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can we use smarter for objects?
A: No, smarter should only be used to describe people or animals’ intelligence. We use more smart to describe objects that are designed or executed intelligently.
Q: When should we use more smartly instead of more smart?
A: More smartly is used to describe the manner of doing something. It indicates that something was done in a clever, efficient, or intelligent way. For example, “She solved the problem more smartly than anyone else.”
Q: Can we use smartly instead of more smartly?
A: Smartly and more smartly have similar meanings, but they are used in slightly different situations. Smartly is used to describe the manner of doing something. For example, “He spoke smartly during the interview.” More smartly, on the other hand, is used to emphasize that something was done more intelligently or efficiently than something else. For example, “The new phone is more smartly designed than the older one.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct use of adjectives is critical to effective communication. In the case of smarter and more smart, they are not interchangeable, and their use depends on what is being described. Smarter should be used for people or animals’ intelligence, while more smart should be used for objects that are designed or executed intelligently. By understanding the difference between these two terms, we can communicate our ideas more precisely and accurately.