This morning’s adventure is wonderful, my friends! It turns out that “more” and “most” are the comparative and superlative of “many” (which came to me right away as I began this word) and also of “much” and “great”! I’m including “more” and “most” here, as it’s likely I’ll forget the connection by the time I get to “much” and “great”. In fact, given the existence of “greater” and “greatest”, I’m certain that I will forget this connection.

• 01.002 as all the people for many miles round called it –
• 01.002 and many little round doors opened out of it,
• 01.003 not only because most of them were rich,
• 01.005 built the most luxurious hobbit-hole for her
• 01.006 and more green,
• 01.006 in the most extraordinary fashion.
• 01.012 pretending to take no more notice of the old man.
• 01.017 for so many quiet lads
• 01.038 It was two more dwarves,
• 01.048 this was the most awkward Wednesday he ever remembered.
• 01.048 More dwarves,
• 01.048 four more!
• 01.050 but poor Mr. Baggins said he was sorry so many times,
• 01.056 ‘And more cakes –
• 01.058 whether a most wretched adventure
• 01.068 He was blowing the most enormous smoke-rings,
• 01.075 There many a gleaming golden hoard
• 01.078 There lay they long, and many a song
• 01.080 The dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
• 01.084 and more than half a mind to pretend to,
• 01.087 There are many hours before dawn.’
• 01.090 this most excellent
• 01.095 Gloin speaking: ‘Humph!’ (or some snort more or less like that).
• 01.095 I think it sounded more like fright than excitement!
• 01.095 He looks more like a grocer than a burglar!’
• 01.096 Many a time afterwards the Baggins part regretted what he did now,
• 01.100 ‘Let’s have no more argument.
• 01.100 There is a lot more
• 01.100 and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.
• 01.109 certainly not after devouring so many of the dwarves
• 01.114 ‘Now things begin to look more hopeful.
• 01.119 a bit more about things,’
• 01.122 and a great many jewels too.
• 01.122 and reward even the least skillful most richly.
• 01.122 not to speak of the most marvellous
• 01.123 There was a most specially greedy,
• 01.123 and destroyed most of the warriors –
• 01.132 and lots of adventures of a most unpleasant sort he had,
• 01.136 and the Mountain are more than big enough tasks for you!’
• 02.019 and then on for a mile or more.
• 02.025 and a good many other things,
• 02.032 He had eaten most,
• 02.032 talked most,
• 02.032 and laughed most.
• 02.033 would have been most useful, too,”
• 02.034 was most annoying.
• 02.042 any more than fly like a bat.
• 02.042 and Bilbo had sniffed more than once
• 02.045 what’s more,”
• 02.046 How much more d’yer want?
• 02.047 Others more practical but with less professional pride
• 02.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 02.060 “P’raps there are more like him round about,
• 02.060 are there any more of your sort a-sneakin’
• 02.073 “There’s more to come yet,” said Tom,
• 02.088 if yer say any more.”
• 02.115 we shall know more about them.”
• 02.117 and they did nothing more till the afternoon.
• 02.117 putting a great many spells over them,
• 02.117 they all mounted once more,
• 02.122 “but could you be more plain?”
• 02.126 Please be more careful,
• 03.001 and their horses had more to eat than they had;
• 03.004 and just at that moment he felt more tired
• 03.018 they would only laugh all the more if you told them so.
• 03.018 and most of all at their beards.
• 03.020 “Most astonishing wonderful!”
• 03.033 He comes into many tales,
• 03.035 and goblins destroyed that city many ages ago.
• 03.042 and what is more,
• 03.042 with the more cunning sort
• 03.048 “Is there any more writing?”
• 03.050 with their hearts ready for more adventure,
• 04.001 There were many paths
• 04.001 and many passes over them.
• 04.001 But most of the paths were cheats
• 04.001 and most of the passes were infested by evil things
• 04.003 Dwarves had not passed that way for many years,
• 04.004 – more than a thunderstorm, a thunder-battle.
• 04.004 More terrible still are thunder
• 04.017 and it was most horribly stuffy.
• 04.017 and Bilbo was more unhappy
• 04.022 and more than one of the dwarves were already yammering
• 04.024 (and other much more dreadful things),
• 04.025 but they make many clever ones.
• 04.025 but the most skilled dwarves,
• 04.025 and also not working with their own hands more than they could help;
• 04.025 no more than they hated everybody
• 04.038 down more dark passages with the yells of the goblin-hall
• 04.040 and many a stumble,
• 04.041 Gandalf thought of most things;
• 04.044 many many feet which seemed only just round the last corner.
• 04.044 many many feet which seemed only just round the last corner.
• 04.048 The ones behind yelled still more,
• 04.048 and most of them were hustling back the way they had come.
• 04.049 and with hardly any more noise than bats.
• 04.051 and remembered nothing more.
• 05.004 and that was something more.
• 05.006 of which so many songs had sung;
• 05.008 still they are more used to tunnelling than we are,
• 05.011 goodness only knows how many years ago,
• 05.011 also there are other things more slimy than fish.
• 05.022 and until he found out more about the sword
• 05.023 until he found out more about the creature,
• 05.037 What is more they made him hungry;
• 05.037 so this time he tried something a bit more difficult
• 05.037 and more unpleasant:
• 05.056 ‘Give me more time!
• 05.058 Gollum was disappointed once more;
• 05.058 That made the hobbit most dreadfully uncomfortable
• 05.059 Jusst one more question to guess,
• 05.070 more upset than ever.
• 05.103 that no sword had any more terror for him.
• 05.127 more quietly than a mouse;
• 06.008 and why the wizard had not chosen someone with more sense.
• 06.008 ‘He has been more trouble than use so far,’
• 06.014 but probably more pleased than all the others.
• 06.014 Balin was the most puzzled of all;
• 06.019 and shuddered most appreciatively at his description of Gollum.
• 06.024 ‘Mr. Baggins has more about him than you guess.’
• 06.026 more than once,
• 06.026 one more easy to travel by,
• 06.027 a more or less decent giant to block it up again,’
• 06.032 and a great many others besides,
• 06.034 in answer to more questions from the hobbit.
• 06.052 and Gloin were more comfortable
• 06.060 More and more
• 06.060 More and more
• 06.062 among the more pleasant woods
• 06.062 There were many of them,
• 06.062 if there were many together,
• 06.065 but this was a most horrible
• 06.069 so he summoned many other eagles to him,
• 06.071 and they soon had a plan which seemed to them most amusing.
• 06.080 though he would probably have killed many of them
• 06.100 more soundly than ever he had done on his feather-bed
• 07.009 we will say no more about it just now.
• 07.010 and a well worn path with many steps leading down it to the river,
• 07.012 and looked most distressed,
• 07.012 ‘I can give you a day or two more.
• 07.019 ‘Couldn’t you find someone more easy-tempered?
• 07.020 ‘If you must know more,
• 07.022 I cannot tell you much more,
• 07.023 and lives most on cream
• 07.024 and they asked no more questions.
• 07.034 with many lopped branches beside it.
• 07.039 and was painfully conscious of his many missing buttons.
• 07.059 As a matter of fact there were more than two.’
• 07.062 and one or two more won’t make much difference,’
• 07.069 there were more than six ponies,
• 07.069 for there were more than six of us –
• 07.069 here are two more!’
• 07.075 what can a dozen do against so many?’ ‘
• 07.076 Or have you still got some more jacks
• 07.077 a couple more here now –
• 07.082 Beorn did not show it more than he could help,
• 07.083 I would have given them more than fireworks!’
• 07.088 without any more interruptions.’
• 07.088 The interruptions had really made Beorn more interested
• 07.088 and he never invited more than a couple of these to his house at a time.
• 07.093 and the hall had not seen such a gathering for many a year.
• 07.095 They spoke most of gold
• 07.097 but there were many more,
• 07.097 but there were many more,
• 07.116 Indeed for a long time they could get nothing more out of him,
• 07.117 there were far too many of them,
• 07.121 and he poked Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat most disrespectfully.
• 07.121 and have some more!’
• 07.122 Beorn was most jolly for a change;
• 07.122 but he had found more than that:
• 07.122 of many of his chief servants.
• 07.122 there was more wickedness than this afoot,
• 07.123 I shall think more kindly of dwarves after this.
• 07.125 so that they could get the most help he could offer.
• 07.126 as in most of his foods,
• 07.128 with many bows
• 07.128 and with many an ‘at your service,
• 07.128 that the adventure was far more dangerous
• 07.129 and bidding him many farewells they rode off
• 07.132 and when they had put many miles between them
• 07.132 and most of them slept uneasily
• 07.133 So they rode now for two more days,
• 07.134 There were no more deer;
• 07.142 I have told you before that he has more about him than you guess,
• 07.152 you had better get off without any more talk!’
• 07.154 all the more angry
• 07.154 Now began the most dangerous part of all the journey.
• 08.001 to bear more than a few blackened leaves.
• 08.002 and still more luck
• 08.005 and that was most terrifying.
• 08.007 and they wasted many arrows
• 08.007 and they shot no more squirrels.
• 08.024 That’s as many as the boat will hold at a time.
• 08.035 Yet if they had known more about it
• 08.037 they came to a part where most of the trees were beeches.
• 08.041 with many a slap
• 08.041 more than once he slipped
• 08.045 and were only made more angry
• 08.047 their tale of all the many adventures they had had since.
• 08.057 and find out more about them.
• 08.058 There were many people there,
• 08.058 but most splendid sight of all:
• 08.061 and there are more than ever of them.’
• 08.066 ‘all about having a most gorgeous dinner.’
• 08.070 and many fires must have been lit suddenly
• 08.071 and try once more to get help.
• 08.071 and more magnificent than before;
• 08.071 and many were singing.
• 08.074 That was one of his most miserable moments.
• 08.075 and remembered nothing more for a long while.
• 08.080 he guessed more or less right,
• 08.081 but he could make out many of the words that they said.
• 08.092 there were many stones lying
• 08.094 he threw some more stones at these,
• 08.098 As he sang he threw some more stones
• 08.100 I am far more sweet than other meat,
• 08.106 ‘Most likely Fili,’
• 08.106 most of the strong sticky threads
• 08.106 and a struggle most of Fili emerged.
• 08.107 and from hanging most of the night
• 08.107 he had to cut most of it off.
• 08.107 and some had been more poisoned.
• 08.108 more full of rage than ever.
• 08.114 most of them very shaky
• 08.115 and many of them were killed.
• 08.117 that is more or less the way towards the place
• 08.120 though many of the spiders were close behind.
• 08.123 It was a most terrible business,
• 08.123 for a single stroke more,
• 08.123 and followed them no more,
• 08.125 and they thanked him many times.
• 08.131 and were more dangerous
• 08.131 For most of them
• 08.131 and more learned,
• 08.131 They dwelt most often by the edges of the woods,
• 08.131 and after the coming of Men they took ever more
• 08.131 and more
• 08.132 and had many passages
• 08.132 and more wholesome than any goblin-dwelling,
• 08.133 he was ever eager for more,
• 08.134 and asked him many questions.
• 09.001 once more into the blackness of night,
• 09.001 of many torches all round them,
• 09.007 but he got little more news out of them than out of Thorin.
• 09.011 More than once he was nearly caught
• 09.013 At last after many difficulties he managed to find the place
• 09.015 and was determined once more
• 09.027 Balin was most surprised,
• 09.050 with many a clash
• 09.051 Most likely you saw it some time ago
• 09.059 when they started off once more.
• 09.061 On the shallow shore most of the barrels ran aground,
• 10.002 and through many adventures to see it,
• 10.003 he had been more lucky than he had guessed.
• 10.003 days which most people now remembered
• 10.003 and many a rider
• 10.005 the river took a more southerly course
• 10.010 and out crept a most unhappy dwarf.
• 10.011 more than the dwarves,
• 10.012 so after a few more groans he got up
• 10.013 Dwalin and Balin were two of the most unhappy,
• 10.013 and had also been packed more neatly
• 10.013 came out more or less smiling,
• 10.016 though I wish he could have arranged a more comfortable journey.
• 10.016 all very much at your service once more,
• 10.021 Some of the more foolish ran out of the hut
• 10.025 Nor could we fight against so many.
• 10.027 ‘Then all the more reason for taking us to him,’
• 10.027 and let us have no more words,
• 10.028 and by long wooden quays with many steps
• 10.028 From one great hall shone many lights
• 10.028 and there came the sound of many voices.
• 10.032 As a matter of fact he thought it far more likely
• 10.036 only there was a great deal more of it,
• 10.037 in the most delightful
• 10.039 There were no more groans or grumbles.
• 10.040 Still, I daresay, more was guessed than was known,
• 10.045 and many provisions.
• 11.006 foaming and splashing among many boulders,
• 11.013 Mr. Baggins had more than the others.
• 11.014 and no more.
• 11.016 In the morning they prepared to move once more.
• 11.017 to lower one of the more active dwarves,
• 11.019 had no more success.
• 11.019 and tools of many sorts from Lake-town,
• 11.023 and there were many of them
• 12.003 so I will not give you any more of it,
• 12.004 more than I used to
• 12.006 The most that can be said
• 12.008 and warned by the echoes to take more than hobbit’s care
• 12.017 and a more fevered shaking was
• 12.017 ‘More like a grocer than a burglar’ indeed!
• 12.017 we’ll hear no more of that.’
• 12.020 figured most unpleasantly)
• 12.021 that have more than they can enjoy
• 12.041 more or less,
• 12.041 Had he known more about dragons
• 12.041 he might have been more frightened
• 12.044 with scarcely a snore more than a whiff of unseen steam,
• 12.044 when Bilbo peeped once more from the entrance.
• 12.060 don’t have more to do with dwarves than you can help!’
• 12.067 and that most of the plunder
• 12.084 a couple of hundreds of years or more ago.
• 12.089 and that is more than most can say
• 12.089 and that is more than most can say
• 12.090 was more likely to end
• 12.090 Bilbo became more
• 12.090 and more unhappy
• 12.095 I assure you we are more than grateful
• 12.099 and he grew ever more uneasy.
• 13.004 just when the dwarves were most despairing,
• 13.019 of many colours at the surface,
• 13.031 Gloin lit several more torches,
• 13.032 even the most respectable,
• 13.034 and finding still hanging there many golden harps
• 13.034 But most of the dwarves were more practical:
• 13.034 But most of the dwarves were more practical:
• 13.039 more clear of the bewitchment of the hoard
• 13.039 ‘I would give a good many of these precious goblets,’
• 13.041 not without many a backward glance of longing.
• 13.042 in fear once more
• 13.043 and climbed yet more stairs,
• 13.043 and yet more stairs again.
• 13.046 As they came through yet more doors
• 13.046 and the grey light grew suddenly more full.
• 13.048 wide enough for many men abreast.
• 13.052 ‘and so I suppose it is more or less breakfast-time –
• 13.056 ‘More walking
• 13.056 and more climbing without breakfast!
• 13.056 I wonder how many breakfasts,
• 13.064 and most of its stones were now only boulders
• 13.071 more removed from the cold outside.
• 13.071 but there was a gathering of very many birds.
• 14.009 There was once more a tremendous excitement
• 14.011 and more bright,
• 14.011 and not the most foolish doubted
• 14.013 No one had dared to give battle to him for many an age;
• 14.015 Once more water was flung by a hundred hands
• 14.015 more than a fly from the marshes.
• 14.017 more than he had enjoyed anything for years.
• 14.023 The dragon swooped once more lower than ever,
• 14.025 Then the many boats could be seen
• 14.025 and most of their boats
• 14.033 and he is worthy of many imperishable songs.
• 14.034 and bitter words were shouted from many sides;
• 14.038 Many took ill of wet
• 14.039 Probably most of them would have perished
• 14.041 marching with many spearmen
• 14.043 and many skilled elves;
• 14.043 Then they set about raising many huts
• 14.043 designed more fair
• 14.044 and the most of the Elvenking’s array,
• 15.001 But ever more thickly the birds were gathering.
• 15.002 and far off there are many carrion birds
• 15.010 ‘They live many a year,
• 15.010 I knew many among the ravens of the rocks
• 15.013 and with him came a most decrepit old bird.
• 15.014 Most of my people are abroad,
• 15.019 But many are gathering hither beside the birds.
• 15.019 in the telling during many years;
• 15.019 many are eager for a share of the spoil.
• 15.019 and many have died,
• 15.020 We would see peace once more
• 15.021 If you would earn our thanks still more,
• 15.021 for he has many people well-armed,
• 15.024 and he would have given most of his share of the profits
• 15.026 They explored the caverns once more,
• 15.029 there were many lights as of fires
• 15.033 as they had not done for many a day.
• 15.037 The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.
• 15.040 The mountain throne once more is freed!
• 15.049 yet he had an eye for many another wonderful thing
• 15.055 Ere many hours were past,
• 15.059 but indeed most of them seemed to share his mind –
• 15.059 He had by now had more than enough of the Mountain,
• 16.001 Many of the dwarves spent their time piling
• 16.002 ‘is worth more than a river of gold
• 16.004 that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves,
• 16.005 though the dragon is no more!’
• 16.018 They will help him more than us,
• 16.026 where folk are more reasonable.
• 16.031 a good many of them have had experience
• 16.039 more or less.
• 16.040 ‘You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes
• 16.040 than many that have looked more comely
• 16.040 than many that have looked more comely
• 16.040 I have more knowledge of dwarves
• 16.043 ‘There is always more about you than anyone expects!’
• 16.044 For the first time for many a day
• 17.026 More than one of the dwarves
• 17.031 but most of these were strong even for dwarves.
• 17.034 and by that time yet more dwarves might come,
• 17.034 and yet more,
• 17.034 for Thorin had many relatives.
• 17.036 There are many of our archers
• 17.040 Still more suddenly a darkness came on
• 17.041 it has come more swiftly than I guessed.
• 17.042 The elves cried out with many voices.
• 17.048 and many there fell before the rest drew back
• 17.049 The most dreadful of all Bilbo’s experiences,
• 17.049 and the one which at the time he hated most –
• 17.049 which is to say it was the one he was most proud of,
• 17.049 and most fond of recalling long afterwards,
• 17.052 Already many of the goblins were flying
• 17.052 and many of their own wolves were turning upon them
• 17.053 and already many were on the slopes above the Gate,
• 17.058 Down too came many of the Lake-men,
• 17.058 came many of the spearmen of the elves.
• 17.059 lay many men
• 17.059 and many dwarves,
• 17.059 and many a fair elf
• 17.060 partly because there was more chance of escape from that point,
• 17.060 (with the more Tookish part of his mind)
• 17.061 I have heard songs of many battles,
• 17.065 Many wondering eyes looked up,
• 17.066 ‘The Eagles!’ cried Bilbo once more,
• 17.066 and knew no more.
• 18.010 who are many,
• 18.014 he said more gravely.
• 18.016 wounded with many wounds,
• 18.018 that has been more than any Baggins deserves.’
• 18.019 ‘There is more
• 18.019 If more of us valued food and cheer and song
• 18.021 but it gave him more sorrow than joy,
• 18.024 and prevented most of them from escaping where they could.
• 18.024 They drove many of them into the Running River,
• 18.024 and the mountains had peace for many a year.
• 18.025 and not many were
• 18.025 save the more grievously wounded.
• 18.026 in many warm blankets.
• 18.027 ‘but most have gone back to their eyries.
• 18.032 and in time many other dwarves gathered to his throne
• 18.034 greater than that of many mortal kings.
• 18.034 such jewels as he most loved,
• 18.035 since so many have a claim
• 18.035 I would reward you most richly of all.’
• 18.039 when our halls are made fair once more,
• 18.042 yet many were glad,
• 18.042 for many a long day.
• 18.045 where you are most needed
• 18.051 He had many hardships
• 18.051 and there were many other things in it
• 18.051 and it is said that for many generations
• 18.051 but most were
• 19.003 The fire is more shining
• 19.005 and there were many eager ears that evening
• 19.005 Most of the tale he knew,
• 19.007 ‘the Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome.
• 19.007 for many long years, I hope.
• 19.008 or for many after.’
• 19.009 and yet more tales,
• 19.010 Below it many elves were singing loud
• 19.014 Sigh no more Pine, till the wind of the morn!
• 19.018 and he had many a merry jest
• 19.024 and more silent;
• 19.024 it seemed to him more like ten –
• 19.026 You may find you have more needs than you expect.’
• 19.027 for most of the time they walked.
• 19.035 and many were going
• 19.036 they were more surprised still.
• 19.036 and most of the things
• 19.037 it was a great deal more than a nine days’ wonder.
• 19.037 Many of his silver spoons mysteriously disappeared
• 19.038 Indeed Bilbo found he had lost more than spoons –
• 19.039 was ever after more musical than it had been
• 19.040 and though many shook their heads
• 19.042 that Mr. Baggins’ waistcoat was more extensive
• 19.043 and was more prosperous than ever,
• 19.044 and took most of the gold
• 19.045 he gets most of the credit for the present prosperity.