Usage of 'bit'

[Molly]

[Inga]

So, what about early and earlier? After your discussion it is a confusing point to me. Before it I was sure that earlier is correct.
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I am an incurable optimist.

[Molly]

I would say that "earlier" is prescriptively correct, but "early" is used by some speakers in that context.

[lost_soul]

[Molly]

[Yankee]

To me, 'early' simply means before the usual or scheduled/planned time, and there really is not any direct comparative aspect in the sentence. "Come a little bit early" basically means "Come a few minutes before the planned/expected time."

Using the word 'earlier' suggests the word 'than' and a direct comparison to something specific. Unless you specifically state something such as "earlier than usual" or "earlier than planned" pr "earlier than you did today" or "earlier than last time" (etc.), or those ideas are clear from the broader context, I would not understand the sentence "Come a bit early" to be specifically comparative.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[HamburgEnglish]

Exactly. and "a bit" means "a bit more than what" therefore is used with earlier!

With this exception.

He arrived "a bit" early last week didnt he? ... OK

But in a direct question you cannot say?

Will you be a bit early? ... THIS IS RUBBISH!

It should be

Will you be early (rather than late) ... or
Will you be a bit earlier than last week, because my Mother is visiting!

hehehehehe If Mother is coming, maybe I wont be so early (lol)

[HamburgEnglish]

OH MAN .... Have you all forgot the original THEME here ???????????

[Molly]

[Yankee]

The American Heritage Dictionary categorizes 'a bit' as an idiom:

[Molly]

[HamburgEnglish]

LISTEN ..... Lost Soul

Do this ....

If you use "a bit" in a direct question .... use a comparative

If you use "a bit" in a "question tag" form then a comparative is not always required. (remember that a question tag is a statement related question... you offer the statement)

Otherwise just use early. Look at my past examples and Molly's for the correct information.

Thank you Molly

[Yankee]

[lost_soul]

[HamburgEnglish]

Yankee

It's a bit warmer .... IS NOT A DIRECT QUESTION !!!!!!

You can say its a bit warmer (meaning compared to an assumed past point in time)
or
You can say it is a bit warm (meaning your own feeling)

But either way the are not direct questions !!

Sheeesh .... Please ask me as many questions as you like if you want to learn ... but please dont then argue with the teacher!!

Teachers are for giving apples to .... LOL

(smile)