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More vs. Most — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
"More" is the comparative form used to indicate a greater amount or degree than is present or than compared with others. "Most" is the superlative form, indicating the highest degree or amount in a group or of all.
More vs. Most — What's the Difference?

Difference Between More and Most

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Key Differences

"More" serves as a comparative adjective or adverb, indicating an increase in degree, quantity, or extent when comparing two entities, situations, or qualities. For example, when comparing the speed of two cars, one might say, "Car A is more fast than Car B," although more correctly, "Car A is faster than Car B." Whereas "most" is the superlative form, used when comparing more than two entities, to signify the entity that stands out as the top in degree, quantity, or extent. For example, in a race among several cars, the fastest would be described as "the most fast," more correctly, "the fastest."
In usage, "more" often requires the word "than" to establish a comparison between two elements (e.g., "She is more interested than her friend"). On the other hand, "most" typically stands alone or is preceded by "the" to denote the peak or extreme level among three or more elements (e.g., "She is the most interested person in the room").
"More" can be applied to both countable and uncountable nouns, enhancing versatility in indicating greater quantities or degrees in diverse contexts. For instance, "I need more chairs" (countable) and "I need more information" (uncountable). Conversely, "most" is used to indicate the utmost degree or the majority, as in "Most people prefer coffee over tea" or "She has the most intelligence in her class."
While "more" is pivotal in expressing relative differences, highlighting one item's superiority in quantity or quality over another, "most" underscores an absolute condition, pinpointing the item that surpasses all others in a group or category.
Despite their differences, both "more" and "most" play crucial roles in the English language's descriptive and comparative structures, allowing speakers to articulate nuances in quantity, degree, and preference with precision and clarity.
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Comparison Chart

Form

Comparative
Superlative

Comparison

Between two entities
Among three or more entities

Usage with "than"

Often used with "than"
Rarely uses "than"; typically stands alone or with "the"

Indicates

A greater degree or amount relative to another
The highest degree or amount in a group

Examples

"She wants more cake than I do."
"She wants the most cake of anyone."

Application

Both countable and uncountable nouns
Mainly with countable nouns or to denote the majority/extreme

Compare with Definitions

More

Comparative form indicating a greater amount or degree.
She has more books than her friend.

Most

Superlative form indicating the highest degree or amount.
He is the most talented player on the team.

More

Used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
I need more time to finish the project.

Most

Used to signify an entity surpassing all others.
That was the most interesting book I've ever read.

More

Often requires "than" for comparisons.
This solution is more effective than the last.

Most

Often stands alone or with "the" in comparisons.
She has the most beautiful garden in the neighborhood.

More

Flexible in modifying adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.
She is more careful now.

Most

Applies mainly to comparisons among three or more.
Of all the solutions, his was the most effective.

More

Indicates an increase in quantity, quality, or degree.
He's looking for more challenging tasks.

Most

Denotes the utmost or majority in a group or category.
Most people prefer summer to winter.

More

Greater in number
A hall with more seats.

Most

Greatest in number
Won the most votes.

More

Greater in size, amount, extent, or degree
More land.
More support.

Most

Greatest in amount, extent, or degree
Has the most compassion.

More

Additional; extra
She needs some more time.

Most

In the greatest number of instances
Most fish have fins.

More

A greater or additional quantity, number, degree, or amount
The more I see of you the more I like you.

Most

The greatest amount or degree
She has the most to gain.

More

To or in a greater extent or degree
Loved him even more.

Most

(Slang) The greatest, best, or most exciting. Used with the
That party was the most!.

More

Used to form the comparative of many adjectives and adverbs
More difficult.
More softly. See Usage Note at perfect.

Most

In or to the highest degree or extent. Used with many adjectives and adverbs to form the superlative degree
Most honest.
Most impatiently.

More

In addition
Phoned twice more.

Most

Very
A most impressive piece of writing.

More

Moreover; furthermore.

Most

(Informal) Almost
Most everyone agrees.

More

Comparative of many
There are more ways to do this than I can count.

Most

Superlative of much.
The teams competed to see who could collect (the) most money.

More

Senseid|en|comparative form of much}} {{comparative of much
There's more caffeine in my coffee than in the coffee you get in most places.

Most

Superlative of many}}: the comparatively largest number of ({{ngd)
The team with the most points wins.

More

Additional; further.
If you run out, there are more bandages in the first aid cupboard.
More people are arriving.
I want more soup.
I need more time.

Most

Superlative of many}}: the majority of; more than half of ({{ngd)
Most bakers and dairy farmers have to get up early.
Winning was not important for most participants.

More

Bigger, stronger, or more valuable.
He is more than the ten years he spent behind bars at our local prison, as he is a changed man and his past does not define him.

Most

Forms the superlative of many adjectives.
This is the most important example.
Correctness is most important.

More

To a greater degree or extent.
I like cake, but I like chocolate more.
I could no more climb that than fly!
More advanced students.
I have more than carried out my obligation.
I have no complaints and no more does my mom.

Most

To a great extent or degree; highly; very.
This is a most unusual specimen.

More

Used to form the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs.
You're more beautiful than I ever imagined.

Most

Superlative of many}} {{rfd-sense
Most times when I go hiking I wear boots.

More

In negative constructions: any further, any longer; any more.

Most

Superlative of much

More

Used in addition to an inflected comparative form.
I was more better at English than you.

Most

Almost.

More

A greater number or quantity (of something).
We're running out of napkins. I should have bought more.
There isn't enough salt in this. You need to add more.

Most

The greatest; the best.

More

An extra or additional quantity (of something).
There aren't many people here yet, but more should be arriving soon.

Most

The greater part of a group, especially a group of people.
Most want the best for their children.
The peach was juicier and more flavourful than most.

More

Comparative of many
Last year’s applications received from new and returning students were more than each of the previous four years.

Most

(uncountable) The greatest amount.
The most I can offer for the house is $150,000.

More

Comparative of much

Most

The greater part.
Most of the penguins were friendly and curious.
Most of the rice was spoiled.

More

(obsolete) A carrot; a parsnip.

Most

(countable) A record-setting amount.

More

(dialectal) A root; stock.

Most

Consisting of the greatest number or quantity; greater in number or quantity than all the rest; nearly all.
The cities wherein most of his mighty works were done.

More

(dialectal) A plant; flower; shrub.

Most

Greatest in degree; as, he has the most need of it.

More

(transitive) To root up.

Most

Highest in rank; greatest.
A quarter of a year or some months at the most.
A covetous man makes the most of what he has.

More

A hill.

Most

In the greatest or highest degree.
Those nearest to this king, and most his favorites, were courtiers and prelates.
The most unkindest cut of all.
The most straitest sect of our religion.

More

A root.

Most

(superlative of `many' used with count nouns and often preceded by `the') quantifier meaning the greatest in number;
Who has the most apples?
Most people like eggs
Most fishes have fins

More

A greater quantity, amount, or number; that which exceeds or surpasses in any way what it is compared with.
And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

Most

The superlative of `much' that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by `the'; a quantifier meaning the greatest in amount or extent or degree;
Made the most money he could
What attracts the most attention?
Made the most of a bad deal

More

That which is in addition; something other and further; an additional or greater amount.
They that would have more and more can never have enough.
O! That pang where more than madness lies.

Most

Used to form the superlative;
The king cobra is the most dangerous snake

More

Greater; superior; increased;
He gat more money.
If we procure not to ourselves more woe.
Whilst sisters nine, which dwell on Parnasse height,Do make them music for their more delight.
The more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Wrong not that wrong with a more contempt.

Most

Very;
A most welcome relief

More

Greater in number; exceeding in numbers; - with the plural.
The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.

Most

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees

More

Additional; other; as, he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer.
With open arms received one poet more.

More

In a greater quantity; in or to a greater extent or degree.
Admiring moreThe riches of Heaven's pavement.

More

With an adjective or adverb (instead of the suffix -er) to form the comparative degree; as, more durable; more active; more sweetly.
Happy here, and more happy hereafter.
The duke of MilanAnd his more braver daughter.

More

In addition; further; besides; again.
Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more,Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere,I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude.
Those oracles which set the world in flames,Nor ceased to burn till kingdoms were no more.

More

To make more; to increase.

More

English statesman who opposed Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon and was imprisoned and beheaded; recalled for his concept of Utopia, the ideal state

More

(comparative of `much' used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree;
More land
More support
More rain fell
More than a gallon

More

(comparative of `many' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning greater in number;
A hall with more seats
We have no more bananas
More than one

More

Existing or coming by way of addition;
An additional problem
Further information
There will be further delays
Took more time

More

Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
More interesting
More beautiful
More quickly

More

Comparative of much; to a greater degree or extent;
He works more now
They eat more than they should

Common Curiosities

How do I decide whether to use "more" or "most"?

Use "more" for comparing two entities and "most" for comparing three or more entities or to indicate the highest degree or amount.

Can "more" and "most" be used interchangeably?

No, "more" and "most" serve different grammatical purposes and are used in different contexts of comparison.

Is it correct to use "most" without "the"?

Yes, in some cases "most" is used without "the" to indicate a general majority, as in "Most cars have four wheels."

Can "more" be used with any adjective or adverb?

"More" is used with adjectives and adverbs of two or more syllables that do not have a distinct comparative form, and with some exceptions.

Can "more" be used with uncountable nouns?

Yes, "more" is used with both countable and uncountable nouns to indicate a greater amount.

Can "most" be used in non-comparative contexts?

Yes, "most" can be used to simply signify a very high degree of a quality, as in "most interesting."

Is it grammatically correct to say "more better"?

No, it's not correct because "better" is already the comparative form of "good." Use "better" alone without "more."

Can "most" refer to the majority of a group?

Yes, "most" can indicate the majority of a group or category, as in "Most students passed the exam."

Are there exceptions to using "more" and "most"?

Yes, some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms, such as "good," "better," and "best."

How do "more" and "most" affect the meaning of adjectives and adverbs?

They modify adjectives and adverbs to express varying degrees of comparison, from greater to greatest.

Do "more" and "most" have synonyms?

While they have synonyms in specific contexts, "more" and "most" are primary forms for comparative and superlative degrees in English.

How do "more" and "most" relate to quantity and quality?

They can refer to both quantity (e.g., "more water," "most books") and quality (e.g., "more interesting," "most beautiful").

Are there rules for when to add "-er" or "-est" instead of using "more" and "most"?

Yes, generally, one-syllable adjectives take "-er" and "-est," while adjectives with three or more syllables use "more" and "most." Two-syllable adjectives can vary.

Can "more" imply addition as well as comparison?

Yes, "more" can indicate both an increase in quantity ("I want more") and a comparative degree ("She is more careful").

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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