I've seen the phrase "If things go from worse to worst..." and I've seen the phrase "If things go from worse to worse..." Which is correct?
Worse or worst?
- Thread starter slb
- Start date
I think Absitinvidia has nailed down the source of the problem.
"Worse" is a comparative and "worst" is a superlative, so you can't have things going from worse to worse--they're already worse, so they can only get better or get really bad (worst).
"Worse" is a comparative and "worst" is a superlative, so you can't have things going from worse to worse--they're already worse, so they can only get better or get really bad (worst).
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,485
- Reaction score
- 165
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Website
- www.bkedits.com
Thanks, F.E. I had always assumed, "if worse comes to worse," to be a mistake for, "if worse comes to worst."
It's quite common around here. "If my car holds up, I'll drive. Or I could bum a ride from Pat. If worse comes to worst, I can always take a bus."
It's quite common around here. "If my car holds up, I'll drive. Or I could bum a ride from Pat. If worse comes to worst, I can always take a bus."
I'm trying to decide whether that means you're surrounded by optimists or pessimists
From bad to worse. However, I've also heard 'bad to worse to worser'.
Another is 'Making a bad job (even) worse'. I'm unsure whether 'even' makes this a similar statement to the OP.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
You're talking about two different idioms:
A) "Things went from bad to worse." This means that a situation that was already bad became worse.
"After I lost my job, my financial situation went from bad to worse."
B) "If {the} worse comes to {the} worst" or its variant "If {the} worst comes to {the} worst." This is used when you're forecasting a further worsening of an already bad situation.
"If worse comes to worst, and my husband loses his job as well, we will be in huge financial trouble."
The phrase "comes to" in "if worse comes to worst" is being used in an old-fashioned sense. It means "if worse becomes worst."
A) "Things went from bad to worse." This means that a situation that was already bad became worse.
"After I lost my job, my financial situation went from bad to worse."
B) "If {the} worse comes to {the} worst" or its variant "If {the} worst comes to {the} worst." This is used when you're forecasting a further worsening of an already bad situation.
"If worse comes to worst, and my husband loses his job as well, we will be in huge financial trouble."
The phrase "comes to" in "if worse comes to worst" is being used in an old-fashioned sense. It means "if worse becomes worst."
Either could be correct, but they don't mean the same thing. "Worse" is comparative, "worst" is superlative. There's nothing "worse" than "worst", but there can be degrees of "worse". This year's Superbowl featured two teams "worse" than most others in terms of my spiritual realm of fandom. I wanted them both to lose, but alas . . . So, forced to choose, I got it right, and the worse team among the two did lose.
Now, in baseball, we have a clear blacbird fandom choice for "worst", a superlative beyond which no other team can aspire: the New York Yankees.
caw
Now, in baseball, we have a clear blacbird fandom choice for "worst", a superlative beyond which no other team can aspire: the New York Yankees.
caw
Last edited:
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2009
- Messages
- 932
- Reaction score
- 63
- Location
- Southern California, USA
- Website
- www.markgronwald.com
It might help to look at the dictionary definitions.
From "worse" to "worst" is a natural progression.
As apposed to WORST:
From "worse" to "worst" is a natural progression.
As apposed to WORST:
Here is a great writ on it:
ON LANGUAGE
'If Worst Comes to Worst'
By BEN ZIMMER
Published: February 4, 2011
What y'all should be griping about is the loss of the subjunctiv when most folks write it as in the byspels below. It should be: if (the) worst come to (the) worst.
variations:
AmE:
if worst comes to worst if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise.
BrE:
if the worst comes to the worst
if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise:
if the worst comes to the worst and your supplier goes into liquidation, you may be able to get compensation
ON LANGUAGE
'If Worst Comes to Worst'
By BEN ZIMMER
Published: February 4, 2011
What y'all should be griping about is the loss of the subjunctiv when most folks write it as in the byspels below. It should be: if (the) worst come to (the) worst.
variations:
AmE:
if worst comes to worst if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise.
BrE:
if the worst comes to the worst
if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise:
if the worst comes to the worst and your supplier goes into liquidation, you may be able to get compensation
Last edited:
Personally, I am not particularly found of the word worst.
To me it always sounds like a person using the word can not properly pronounce worse...
To me it always sounds like a person using the word can not properly pronounce worse...
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 6,449
- Reaction score
- 1,321
"Bad/worse/worst" is parallel to "good/better/best". Thothguard, what word would you suggest people use instead of "worst"? I can't think of a synonym.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2009
- Messages
- 932
- Reaction score
- 63
- Location
- Southern California, USA
- Website
- www.markgronwald.com
Interesting article. I hadn't thought of the phrase as being and ancient idiom from 1596.
I have to quote that article, because I love the way Mr. Zimmer phrased this:
nice.
American Sign Language takes advantage of that parallel structure.
Good is signed with the palm up and a smile. Better starts with "good" and goes higher, ending with a thumb-up beside a happy face. Best is even higher ends with the thumb-up at hat-level and a grin.
Bad starts with good, but the palm turns down with a frown. Worse is two V-hands crossing as low as the elbows and a grimace. Worst is two W-hands crossing even lower with a stricken look.