Grammar

Originally posted by Fiathahel
To those of you who speak excellent english:

What's the most appropiate way to say this:
-It's more clear this way.
-It's clearer this way.


(and where do I have to put the questionmark in the previous question?)

Just go one step further. Is it most clear, or clearest? I say clearest.

Two arguments for this (emperical) "more clear" vs. "clearer";

Altavista: 150,000 vs. 800,000
Google: 320,000 vs. 1,880,000

I rest my case.

Originally posted by Fiathahel
To those of you who speak excellent english:

What's the most appropiate way to say this:
-It's more clear this way.
-It's clearer this way.


(and where do I have to put the questionmark in the previous question?)

The majority of English-language usage rules are predicated on the idea of "what is more clear." The dissatisfying answer is that English works in a multitude of ways, and proper usage is dependant upon the context. Both of your examples are technically correct in the spoken vernacular.

The written word, as prescribed by Standard Written English guidelines, tells a different story. The specific rule is that, if the predicate noun (as "clear" is in this specfic instance...though do note that this word can function in other ways) is comprised of two or less syllables, then you should use the non-adjectival form: "It is clearer." It's not a hard and fast rule, but more of a general usage guideline. In the example you give, both are technically correct.

However, if the predicate noun is of three or more syllables, you should use the adjectival form. For example: "It's more understandable this way" is correct. You would not say "It's understandabler this way."

Those are the rules of thumb. But, if you will forgive the hyperbole, English is a frothing hydra. There are almost invariably instances where the "rules" break down, without any logical justification from cognates or regional usage.

I hope my variable-ridden answer was of some help.

EDIT: Meh typing = teh suxors.