Word Usage

Mary W. Ng

June 26, 2009

less worse off, more worse off, worse off

Be worse off means “to be poorer or in a more difficult situation”. Less worse off and more worse off are incorrect double comparatives.

Incorrect:There are some places that are less worse off than others.
Correct:There are some places that are worse off than others.
Incorrect:You are no more worse off than you were before.
Correct:You are no worse off than you were before.