Guest  +  31157 Thu, 27 May 04 07:21 AM We can't we say/use "realest" instead of "most real"? Thank you. Guest

	Nestor  +  31207 Thu, 27 May 04 04:04 PM I wish I could give you a definite rule to help you with this problem, but I can't. I understand how deciding when to use "-er" and "-est" or "more + (word)" and "most + (word)" gives you problems. I suppose you know the general rule--> "-er" and "-est" for one syllable words, "more+ " and "most+ " for two or more syllable words. "Real" is an exception to this rule. "Fishy" is also an exception; "fishier" and "fishiest" are the respective comparative and superlative. In general, you have to base your decision on the sound of the phrase, and it's hard to know what sounds right until you've mastered speaking the language. I'm sorry I can't give you any more help than that. Nestor Joined on Mon, Mar 29 2004 Greensboro, North Carolina, US Junior Member 70

	ryan smith  +  31208 Thu, 27 May 04 04:10 PM You shouldn't use 'realest'. It's not a word. A good dictionary will list the inflected forms (-er, -ing, etc.) of a word. If none are listed, then use 'most', 'least', etc. E.g.: Meriam Webster, which is free at www.m-w.com, lists 'uglier' and 'ugliest' under 'ugly'. It lists nothing like that under real. So, according to m-w at least, 'realest' is not a word. Besides, how can something be more real that something else? Things are either real or they're not, right? Are there stages to reality? ryan smith Joined on Tue, Sep 9 2003 CLASSIFIED Full Member 199

	suzi  +  31340 Sat, 29 May 04 08:24 AM interesting point re. can something be more real than another? The same applies to perfect, it either is or isn't perfect. btw I: is this an example of tautolgy if you say most perfect? Cross referencing to another thread where we are dicussing the written grammar rules: "most perfect" is a phrase that Shakespeare used. btw II : you can seach the whole works of Shakespeare to check out things he said by using this site - it is a real gem http://www.rhymezone.com/shakespeare/ suzi Joined on Wed, Jan 7 2004 Full Member 465 Grammar

	anon1  +  46329 Mon, 20 Sep 04 12:43 AM Suzi, The same applies to perfect, it either is or isn't perfect. The United States Constitution We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Please see the underlined portion. An example of where something can be more real. Video games have become a bit more real. The animation continues to improve to the point where people almost believe that they are in a different dimension fighting dragons and other nefarious demons. MountainHiker anon1 Joined on Fri, Jul 2 2004 Senior Member 2,049