He is making the problem worst/worse

Question

Is this correct?

He is making the problem worst.

I have a feeling that it is wrong and worst should be worse but I couldn't explain why it is wrong.

So to confirm, is worst in the example sentence correct and sounds natural? If it is wrong, what is the reason?

score 3 · Answer 1 · edited Nov 25 '17 at 03:03

3

A comparative like worse needs something to compare with, which can be implied:

He is making the problem worse (than before).

The usage of worst could be used in the example below. Notice the definite article "the" must be used with worst:

This is the worst problem he has ever faced.

edited Nov 25 '17 at 03:03

Nick

answered Nov 24 '17 at 19:00

Weather Vane

But why worst in making the problem worst wrong? – user1764381 Nov 24 '17 at 19:03
Perhaps "He is making the problem the worst ever". – Weather Vane Nov 24 '17 at 19:05
Please see this previous question. – Weather Vane Nov 24 '17 at 19:16
comparative: worse. This is worse than that. superlative: This is the worst [whatever]. – Lambie Nov 25 '17 at 00:30

1 Answers1