"Prouder," the comparative adjective of "proud" used to express pride in one's own or someone else's achievements, is the grammatically correct form of this phrase.

However, "more proud," although not entirely grammatically incorrect, can be used to express the same meaning of "prouder."

Generally, most people use "prouder" instead of "more proud," but what are the exact differences between these two terms? Let's find out.

What Does Prouder Mean?

The Oxford Dictionary of the English Language defines "prouder" as the **comparative form of the adjective "proud,"**which is used to describe a greater degree of pride or a heightened sense of satisfaction in comparison to something else.

While "proud" as a comparative is widely accepted, some dictionaries, including the Britannica Dictionary, acknowledge "more proud" as a correct term. This recognition implies that "more proud" is not entirely incorrect, allowing for some flexibility in usage.

Which One is More Popular, Prouder or More Proud?

According to Google Ngram, the term "prouder" is way more popular than "more proud," but both terms have been used consistently over the past century.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that the consistent usage of both "prouder" and "more proud" over the past century suggests that there is room for flexibility in choosing between the two forms.

In any case, we should also consider that "prouder" is a one-syllable word, which makes it easier to pronounce and use in its correct form.

How to Use Prouder or More Proud 

As you can see, most people use "prouder" instead of "more proud," but it's not like "more proud" is incorrect based on English grammar rules.

Both terms showcase an assortment of pride, and, in some cases, could be used interchangeably, but it's better to maintain consistency. If you are choosing whether to use "prouder" or "more proud," you can follow these quick tips:

• Simplicity for Short Adjectives: "Prouder" is preferred for one-syllable adjectives or select two-syllable adjectives, providing a concise and straightforward way to express a higher degree of pride;
• Common Usage and Informal Contexts: The use of "prouder" aligns with common language patterns and is often favored in everyday language for its simplicity and ease of expression, especially in informal contexts;
• Formality and Precision for Longer Adjectives: 'More proud' may be preferred in more formal or nuanced contexts, or with longer adjectives, depending on personal preference.

Prouder and More Proud Sentence Examples

Here are some quick examples where you can see how "prouder" and "more proud" are used in different contexts:

1. Andrea felt prouder than ever after receiving the award for her outstanding achievements;
2. The teacher was prouder of her students' progress than she had ever been before;
3. As the team captain, Sky couldn't have been more proud of their victory in the championship;
4. Despite the challenges, they emerged from the project feeling prouder of their collective effort;
5. Watching her child graduate made her prouder than any other moment in her life;
6. Roger became more proud of his heritage as he learned about the rich history of his ancestors;
7. The more proud she became of her artistic skills, the more her confidence in sharing her work grew;
8. Achieving a personal best in the marathon made him more proud of his dedication to training;
9. The team's success in the competition left everyone feeling more proud to be a part of the organization;
10. As the community celebrated its accomplishments, residents couldn't have been prouder of their shared achievements.

Summary: Should I Write Prouder or More Proud?

Both "prouder" and "more proud" are correct terms. While "prouder" is more popular and widely used, employing "more proud" is not considered incorrect.

The coexistence of both terms allows us flexibility in their usage, and although using "prouder" is more common,  the decision rests on other factors, such as clarity, simplicity, and individual stylistic choices.