Key Explanation

In English, comparative and superlative forms (like “funner” or “more fun”) are created differently based on the word type. For adjectives, we typically follow these patterns:

• Short adjectives (like “big” or “small”): Add -er for the comparative form (e.g., “bigger,” “smaller”).
• Longer adjectives (like “interesting” or “beautiful”): Use more for the comparative (e.g., “more interesting,” “more beautiful”).

Now, here’s the key issue: “Fun” is traditionally a noun (something you have or experience, like “having fun”) rather than an adjective, so it didn’t originally have comparative forms like “funner.” However, as language evolved, “fun” started being used as an adjective (“This is a fun game!”), but it didn’t develop traditional comparative forms.

Why “Funner” Sounds Incorrect

Because “fun” wasn’t originally an adjective, adding “-er” like we do for adjectives sounds odd in formal English, and grammarians historically considered it incorrect. That’s why most people use “more fun” instead of “funner.”

Example:

• ✅ “The party was more fun than I expected.”
• ❌ “The party was funner than I expected.”

When You Might Hear “Funner”

In informal or conversational English, “funner” sometimes appears, especially in playful or creative contexts. You might hear it in casual speech, especially from children or in social settings where language rules are more relaxed. Although it’s not yet widely accepted in formal writing, it is sometimes used colloquially.

Practice Time

Try using “more fun” in these sentences to reinforce the correct comparative form!

1. I thought the first game was __________ than the second one.
2. Hiking is __________ when the weather is nice.
3. This vacation was __________ than last year’s trip.

Answers:

1. more fun
2. more fun
3. more fun