diff --git a/lib/resource-0.6/english/ParadigmsEng.gf b/lib/resource-0.6/english/ParadigmsEng.gf
index da213d86a..45ac5d1d2 100644
--- a/lib/resource-0.6/english/ParadigmsEng.gf
+++ b/lib/resource-0.6/english/ParadigmsEng.gf
@@ -219,8 +219,8 @@ oper
   apReg = \s -> AdjP1 (mkAdj1 s) ;
 
   aGen : Str -> AdjDeg = \s -> case last s of {
-    "y" => mkAdjDeg s (init s ++ "ier") (init s ++ "iest") ;
-    "e" => mkAdjDeg s (s ++ "r") (s ++ "st") ;
+    "y" => mkAdjDeg s (init s + "ier") (init s + "iest") ;
+    "e" => mkAdjDeg s (s + "r") (s + "st") ;
     _   => aReg s
     } ;