more fierce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more fierce" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "fiercer." You can use "fiercer" when comparing the intensity or severity of something, typically in a context where you are discussing competition, emotions, or characteristics.
Example: "The competition this year is fiercer than ever before."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His gravelly voice was more gravelly, his fierceness more fierce, his deployment of profanity more thrilling.

The New Yorker

The competition is much more fierce.

The New York Times

The competition has never been more fierce.

The Guardian - Tech

"Competition within the global economy has grown more fierce.

The New York Times

If anything, she said, it made her "more fierce".

The New York Times - Sports

Each day, she was more fierce, each day more beautiful.

The New York Times

Competition for jobs has never been more fierce.

The Guardian

But Mrs. Greenberg's store was in for more fierce competition.

The New York Times

"Meanwhile, competition within the global economy has grown more fierce.

The New York Times - Arts

Delicate mangroves that protect coastal ecologies are being destroyed; cyclones are more fierce and frequent.

The New York Times - Books

More fierce protests shut down the campus for five days in 1989.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical accuracy, use "fiercer" instead of "more fierce". This applies particularly to formal writing and academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "more fierce" in formal writing. While common, it is grammatically incorrect; "fiercer" is the correct comparative form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more fierce" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, aiming to describe something as having a higher degree of fierceness compared to something else. Although Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and suggests "fiercer" instead, its frequent usage indicates an attempt to intensify the adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more fierce" is used to describe a higher degree of intensity or aggressiveness, but it's grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form is "fiercer". Although Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, the phrase appears frequently across diverse sources, including news outlets. It is advisable to use "fiercer" in formal contexts for grammatical precision. Alternatives such as "more intense" or "more aggressive" can also convey a similar meaning. Despite its common usage, opting for "fiercer" ensures grammatical correctness, especially in academic or professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fiercer

Uses the correct comparative form of the adjective "fierce".

more intense

Replaces "fierce" with a synonym that describes increased intensity.

more aggressive

Substitutes "fierce" with a synonym indicating a more combative or assertive nature.

more vehement

Replaces "fierce" with a synonym suggesting a stronger expression of feeling.

more vigorous

Substitutes "fierce" with a synonym that emphasizes strength and energy.

more ruthless

Replaces "fierce" with a synonym implying a lack of compassion or pity.

more brutal

Substitutes "fierce" with a synonym suggesting cruelty and harshness.

more competitive

Uses a phrase emphasizing increased competition as an alternative to "fierce".

more acute

Substitutes "fierce" with a synonym that implies something is sharpened or heightened.

markedly more fierce

Emphasis on the degree of fierceness, indicating a noticeable increase in intensity, retaining the original word but using a slight intensifier to highlight the difference.

FAQs

Is "more fierce" grammatically correct?

No, "more fierce" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct comparative form of "fierce" is "fiercer".

When should I use "fiercer" instead of "more fierce"?

You should use "fiercer" in most situations when you want to compare the intensity or severity of something. It's the grammatically standard form.

What are some alternatives to "more fierce"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "more intense", "more aggressive", or even "more passionate".

Why is "fiercer" preferred over "more fierce"?

The adjective "fierce" can form its comparative using the "-er" suffix. Using "more" with such adjectives is grammatically redundant, although colloquially accepted by some speakers.