More vs Greater
What’s the difference between them?
More
Meaning:
having a greater number; being in addition; additional; further.
Examples:
1. I want more ice cream.
2. He had more money than me.
3. I'm going to need more time to finish this project.
Greater
Meaning:
comparative form of the adjective 'great,' meaning more in amount, size, or degree.
Examples:
1. He has a greater understanding of the subject than I do.
2. We must strive for greater efficiency in our processes.
3. We must work together to achieve greater success.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
More
1. Additional
2. Supplementary
3. Extra
4. Increase
5. Augment
1. Less
2. Shrink
3. Dissipate
4. Decrease
5. Retreat
Greater
1. Larger
2. Substantial
3. Increased
4. Vast
5. More Significant
1. Lesser
2. Smaller
3. Lower
4. Decreased
5. Diminish
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "More", "Greater".
1. Remember that 'more' refers to something that is being added to something else.
2. 'Greater' is a comparative form of the adjective 'great' meaning there is something larger in amount, size, or degree.
3. When in doubt, try substituting 'more' with 'additional' or 'further' and 'greater' with 'larger' to understand the difference in meaning.
4. Keep in mind that 'more' has a greater number of items, while 'greater' indicates a larger degree or size.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word 'more' be used?
More is used when referring to an increase in number, amount, size, or degree of something. For example, 'I need to buy more fruit' or 'I received more money than expected'.
When is the appropriate context for using the second word 'greater'?
Greater is used as a comparative form of the adjective 'great' to refer to an increase in amount, size, or degree. For example, 'The mountain is much greater than the hill' or 'It's a greater challenge than I previously thought'.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. The word 'more' /mɔːr/, while greater is pronounced /ˈgreɪ.t̬ɚ/.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One of the most frequent mistakes people make is using 'more' when they should use 'greater'. They may also mispronounce the words, or use 'more' when referring to something that should be described as 'greater'.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. She was looking for something ________, so she bought two more shirts.
2. The ________ the amount of money we have, the more financially secure well be.
3. The store saw ________ demand for their new product, so they had to increase production.
4. She is asking for ________ responsibility at work because she feels ready for a promotion.
5. The ________ the amount of practice, the better the results will be.
6. Hes hoping that the next job pays ________ than his current one.
1. More
Explanation: More is an appropriate choice here because it implies the addition of two shirts.
2. Greater
Explanation: Greater is an appropriate choice here because it implies a comparison between different levels of money.
3. Greater
Explanation: Greater is an appropriate choice here because it implies a comparison between different levels of demand.
4. More
Explanation: More is an appropriate choice here because it implies the addition of responsibility.
5. Greater
Explanation: greater is an appropriate choice here because it implies more in amount.
6. More
Explanation: more is an appropriate choice here because it implies a comparison between different levels of pay.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.