Just like in “Big, Bigger, Biggest”, when you say “simple, _______, simplest”, what can serve as the comparative in this context? Should it be Simpler or Simplier?
My laptop has already underlined “simplier” with a red line, showing that it is an incorrect way of spelling the word.
But as you read through this article, I will help you explain these words so that you can understand the difference between them.
Simplier vs. Simpler
Meaning of Simplier:
As I said at the onset, this word is often a misspelling of the ideal word “Simpler.”
This is because most comparatives come with the suffix “-er” or “-r” so adding an “i” to the word automatically makes it incorrect or a new word entirely.
Let’s critically analyze the root word “simple”; in making it a comparative, we add only “r” since it ends “e” i.e Simple + “r” = Simpler
In a situation where the word ends with “y”, in the case of “heavy”, that is where the comparative will turn to “Heavier”, taking away the “y” and replacing it with “ier”. In essence, I feel this is where the issue is coming from.
Examples:
- If you feel the book is heavy, check out Jamie’s, his own is 10 pounds heavier.
- The second exam is simplier than the first paper. (incorrect)
- You must ignore the simple questions to solve the simplier ones to get more marks. (incorrect)
Read this: License vs Licence – Which is Correct?
Simplier vs. Simpler
Meaning of Simpler:
Simpler indicates that something is easier to understand than the previous one. It has synonyms like easier, less complicated, etc. The word is a comparative of “simple” indicating the degree to which something seems simple.
Examples:
- This should be simpler than the one I sent to him.
- What makes this exam simpler than the test?
- Please! make sure you give us something that is simpler than the last test.
FAQs on “Simplier” vs. “Simpler”
The correct spelling is “simpler.”
No, “simplier” is a misspelling. The correct form is “simpler.”
“The instructions could be made simpler for everyone to understand.”
“Simpler” is the comparative form of “simple,” meaning more straightforward or easier to understand or do.
Final tips:
Simplier and Simpler are very easy to misplace for each other; the best way to avoid this mistake is to know that any word that ends with “e” requires “r” to turn it into a comparative, while a word ending with “y” is changed to “ier” unless in a complex case.
Read this: Enquire vs. Inquire: Which is Correct?
Awesome one, I hope this article on “Simplier vs. Simpler” answered your question.
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