A comparative-negative statement

[Zekurom]

I have no idea what they're actually called, but I'm talking about sentences like these:

"This idea is even more implausible than the first."

For some reason, I don't like using the comparative next to a negative adjective - it feels too much like a double negative. I would personally say that sentence as:

"This idea is even less plausible than the first."

What are your viewpoints or usage notes on this kind of grammatical structure?

 

[Giratina!]

It seems fine to me. I suppose that technically it would be shorter and more efficient to use the second way around, but - and this may just be me - frankly I would just use whichever one came to my head first. /shot

 

[Legacy]

Agreed. Your second example is probably the more technically correct way, but either would be fine with me. I guess it depends on the word though.

 

[Zekurom]

Agreed. Your second example is probably the more technically correct way, but either would be fine with me. I guess it depends on the word though.

You double-space sentences? Wow, I haven't done that since typing class in Grade 9.

You're right, it does depend in the word. I only use the "less" adjective when the opposite word clearly has a negative prefix, like "uncouth" or "immodest". For example, if the word is just "sketchy", which is the opposite of "honest", I'll do:

This character is even sketchier than the last.

instead of

This character is even less honest than the last.

 

[Kayi Rowling]

Well, since English is not my first language, and my dearest Spanish actually works with double negatives just fine, I'd say I don't care either way (and that it doesn't even feel like double negatives; you're obviously exaggerating)

 

[Lugion]

Well "less honest" implies that there's honesty in the first place, so I'd use that to compare levels of honesty between characters who are generally honest.

The opposite is also true, bla bla bla.