Stricter vs. More Strict – Which is Correct?

Both stricter and more strict are correct in American English. Stricter is the usual, more concise comparative form, while more strict can sound more deliberate or formal and may fit when contrasting strict with another quality. In most sentences, choose stricter for natural, direct prose and more strict for emphasis.

Stricter or More Strict – Which is Correct?

Stricter and more strict are both valid comparative forms of the adjective strict. In everyday American English, stricter is generally the more natural and widely preferred choice.

More strict is not a misspelling. Writers may use it for emphasis, to create a deliberate contrast, or when the phrase sounds smoother in a particular sentence. For example, “The new policy is stricter” is concise and ordinary, while “The new policy is more strict than it is complicated” emphasizes a contrast between two qualities.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the short-form test: if the adjective naturally accepts -er, prefer that form. Because strict becomes stricter smoothly, it is usually the best choice. Use more strict when you want to slow down the comparison or place special emphasis on the quality of strictness.

How to Use Stricter

Stricter is the standard comparative form of strict. It means “more strict” and describes a person, rule, law, requirement, policy, or system that demands greater obedience or allows less flexibility. It is concise, natural, and appropriate in casual, academic, professional, and formal writing.

Use stricter when comparing two people, situations, rules, or standards. The comparison may be explicit, using than, or implicit when the context already establishes the earlier standard.

Example 1: The manager introduced stricter guidelines for handling customer information.

Example 2: This year’s building codes are stricter than last year’s requirements.

Example 3: Her parents became stricter after she repeatedly missed her curfew.

What are the different forms of Stricter?

Stricter is the comparative form of the adjective strict. The basic form is strict, the comparative form is stricter, and the superlative form is strictest.

• Positive: The instructor is strict.
• Comparative: The new instructor is stricter than the previous one.
• Superlative: This is the strictest policy in the organization.

Both stricter and more strict can function as comparative forms, but stricter is normally preferred when no special contrast or emphasis is intended.

Etymology of the word Stricter

Stricter comes from strict plus the comparative suffix -er. Strict entered English through Old French from the Latin strictus, meaning “drawn tight,” “tightened,” or “rigid.” Over time, its meaning expanded to describe firm rules, exact standards, and limited flexibility.

How to Use More Strict

More strict is also grammatically correct. It has the same basic meaning as stricter, but its two-word structure may give the comparison greater emphasis. It can also sound more measured or formal in certain contexts.

Use more strict when contrasting strictness with another characteristic, when the sentence has a formal or deliberate rhythm, or when the writer wants to highlight the degree of strictness.

Example 1: The revised procedure is more strict than complicated.

Example 2: The organization needs a more strict approach to data security.

Example 3: The judge adopted a more strict interpretation of the regulation.

What are the different forms of More Strict?

More strict is a periphrastic comparative form: it uses the word more before the adjective instead of adding -er. The positive form is strict, the comparative phrase is more strict, and the superlative phrase is most strict.

• Positive: The policy is strict.
• Comparative: The revised policy is more strict than the old one.
• Superlative: This is the most strict policy under consideration.

Although more strict is correct, strictest is usually more natural than most strict when forming the superlative.

Etymology of the word More Strict

More strict combines more, from Old English māra, meaning “greater,” with strict, which ultimately comes from Latin strictus. This construction follows the general English pattern of forming comparisons with more rather than with the suffix -er.

Related Concepts

Understanding comparative adjectives helps clarify why both forms work and why one may sound more natural in a particular sentence.

• Comparative adjectives: Comparative adjectives compare two people, things, or conditions. Common examples include faster, narrower, more careful, and stricter.
• Inflectional comparison: English often adds -er to short adjectives, as in strict and stricter. This is usually the more concise option.
• Periphrastic comparison: Some comparisons use more before the adjective, as in more careful or more strict. This form can provide emphasis or a more deliberate rhythm.
• Contextual emphasis: Word choice can depend on emphasis, contrast, rhythm, and style, even when two expressions have the same basic meaning.

Examples from Media and Literature

Both forms appear in real-world discussions of law, education, government, and social expectations. The following examples show natural contexts for the two comparative constructions.

• News reporting: A report about airport security may describe “stricter screening procedures” introduced after a security concern.
• Legal drama: A courtroom character might argue that a “stricter interpretation” of the statute would change the outcome of a case.
• Dystopian literature: A narrator may describe stricter surveillance rules as a government increases control over its citizens.
• School stories: A novel about adolescence may portray a teacher who becomes stricter after students repeatedly break classroom rules.
• Documentaries: A program about environmental policy might discuss more strict regulations in a deliberate contrast with more costly regulations.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. In some cases, both answers are grammatically possible, but choose the option that best fits the context.

1. The hospital introduced ______ hygiene requirements after the inspection. (stricter / more strict)
2. The new policy is ______ than the previous policy but not more expensive. (stricter / more strict)
3. The coach became ______ after the team repeatedly ignored instructions. (stricter / more strict)
4. The agency adopted a ______ interpretation of the existing rule. (stricter / more strict)
5. Which form is usually more concise in ordinary writing? (stricter / more strict)

Answer Key

1. stricter — This is the usual concise comparative form.
2. more strict — The phrase creates a deliberate contrast between strictness and expense.
3. stricter — It is the natural choice in this straightforward comparison.
4. more strict — The phrase gives emphasis to the interpretation of the rule, although stricter is also possible.
5. stricter — It normally sounds more direct and economical.

Stricter Synonyms

More Strict Synonyms

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “stricter” or “more strict” correct?
Both are correct in American English. However, stricter is usually the more natural and concise choice.

Question 2: Is “more strict” grammatically acceptable?
Yes. More strict is a valid comparative phrase. It may be especially useful when the writer wants emphasis or a contrast, such as “more strict than expensive.”

Question 3: Which form should I use in formal writing?
Use stricter in most formal writing because it is concise and standard. Choose more strict when the sentence’s rhythm, emphasis, or contrast makes that form clearer.

Conclusion

Stricter and more strict are both acceptable, but stricter is the preferred choice in most sentences. Use more strict when you want deliberate emphasis or need to contrast strictness with another quality. Pro Tip: Choosing the concise, conventional form in professional writing demonstrates grammatical control and strengthens your credibility.