Smarter vs Smartest when referring to twins?

1

In the case of "Spencer was the smartest of the twins" is it appropriate to write smartest or would it be better to use smarter instead as there are only two.

Thanks in advance!

elf

Posted 2017-09-29T13:39:13.000

Reputation: 113

Answers

1

You are correct. There are only two, so "smarter" is preferred.

Jim was always the bolder of the pair.

Ralph is taller than his brother, but also hairier.

Andrew

Posted 2017-09-29T13:39:13.000

Reputation: 85 521

"preferred" makes it sound like there's no hard rule. So "smartest" would also be semantically correct? – Mr Lister – 2017-09-29T19:51:49.380

Asked: 2017-09-29T13:39:13.000

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Active: 2017-09-29T14:07:23.707