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Pedants' corner

Agiler?

(34 Posts)
Luckygirl Mon 02-Jan-17 10:54:59

I am playing online scrabble with my DD and wanted to send the word agiler - as in more agile. The programme will not let me send it (which is a pity as it carries loads-a-points!) as it says it is an invalid word. Wiktionary says it is valid.

Over to you!

Anya Mon 02-Jan-17 22:54:16

Indeed trisher I explained that words ending in 'y'' were the exception to the rule.

Christinefrance Tue 03-Jan-17 09:16:25

Why do different word games allow or disallow certain words. No two games have the same rules.

trisher Tue 03-Jan-17 11:20:45

Soory Anya missed that, but we also have quiet, quieter and quietest

Anya Tue 03-Jan-17 11:24:00

Good point trisher

Anya Tue 03-Jan-17 11:24:19

I concede defeat!

Anya Tue 03-Jan-17 11:24:37

grin

phoenix Tue 03-Jan-17 12:38:13

I play Words With Friends on line and am often surprised both by words that ARE allowed, as well as those that aren't!

grandtanteJE65 Sat 22-Jul-17 14:04:42

No, you did not make it up, Anya. That is the rule, except for some very ordinary words like "common" which grammarians still say can be commoner in the comparative and commonest in the superlative.

I never use these forms myself, and have suggested to all my students that they should not do so either, as most examiners, bosses etc. probably don't know that modern English grammar books still include them.

You are right too about adjectives ending on -y, which deals nicely with livelier, tidier, etc.