🎓 TinyProf's Grammar Breakdown

---

1. What We're Solving

You're tackling two classic grammar traps that even advanced writers stumble on:

• Which preposition belongs in the phrase "in accordance ___"?
• When comparing things using "than," do we use more or most?

---

2. The Approach

For both questions, we need to understand fixed expressions (phrases that have one correct form by convention) and grammatical rules (logical rules about comparison). Understanding why a form is correct will help you apply it confidently every time.

---

3. Step-by-Step Solution

❓ Question 1: "In Accordance to" vs. "In Accordance with"

Step 1: Understand what a fixed prepositional phrase is.

Some phrases in English are "frozen" — the preposition is fixed by long convention, not by logic alone. You simply have to learn which preposition the phrase takes.

Step 2: Test it by asking what the phrase means.

"In accordance" means in agreement or harmony with something. Notice the word with already lives inside the idea — you're aligning with something, not moving toward it (which "to" often implies).

Step 3: Check the verdict.

> ✅ "In accordance WITH" is the only standard, accepted form. > ❌ "In accordance TO" is a common error — it sounds natural but is not grammatically accepted in formal English.

Corrected sentence: > "The decision was made in accordance with the recommendations of the independent review."

---

❓ Question 2: "More" vs. "Most" — Comparing with "Than"

Step 1: Understand the two types of comparison.

| Form | Used When | Example | |------|-----------|---------| | Comparative (more/better/bigger) | Comparing 2 things | "This is more convincing than that." | | Superlative (most/best/biggest) | Comparing 3 or more things | "This is the most convincing of all." |

Step 2: Notice the key signal word — "than."

Here's a golden rule:

> 🔑 Whenever you see "than," you MUST use the comparative form (more, not most).

"Than" is a comparison word — it signals you're measuring one thing against another specific thing.

Step 3: Apply this to your sentence.

> "The second proposal is by far more convincing than any other proposal that was presented."

Even though "any other proposal" could imply multiple proposals exist, the structure is still a head-to-head comparison using "than" — so comparative wins.

> ❌ "...is by far most convincing than..." — This mixes superlative with "than," which is a grammatical mismatch.

---

4. The Answer

| Question | Incorrect | Correct | |----------|-----------|---------| | Preposition | in accordance to | in accordance with ✅ | | Comparison | by far most convincing than | by far more convincing than ✅ |

---

5. 🧠 Memory Tips

For "in accordance with": > Think: "I agree with you" → "in accordance with" — both use with when expressing alignment! 🤝

For "more vs. most": > "Than" needs a partner → comparative ("more") > Superlatives (most) stand alone at the top — they don't need "than" to compare! 🏆

---

You're doing fantastic by questioning these details — that's exactly how strong writers develop! 💪 Let me know if you'd like more practice examples!