More and most with short adjectives

Sometimes more and most are used with adjectives that usually take –er and –est. This usually happens when a comparative form is not followed immediately by than. Forms with –er are also possible in most of these situations.

She is getting more and more young. OR She is getting younger and younger.

The ascent is getting more and more steep. OR The ascent is getting steeper and steeper.

Things are getting more and more tough. OR Things are getting tougher and tougher.

When we say that one description is more suitable or accurate than another, we use more; comparatives with –er are not possible.

He is more lazy than stupid. (NOT He is lazier than stupid.)

She is more pretty than sweet. (NOT She is prettier than sweet.)

In a formal style, most can be used with adjectives to mean ‘very’.

That is most kind of you. (NOT That is the kindest of you.)

The adjectives real, right, wrong and like always take more and most.

He is more like his father than his mother. (NOT He is liker his father than his mother.)

I don’t think that this answer is more right than that answer.

Panic attacks may seem more real than the real thing.