Comparing Adverbs

Comparing adjectives is relatively simple once you figure out what to do. Since adverbs, like adjectives, are words that describe, they can be changed to comparative and superlative forms. You use the comparative form when you consider two persons or objects:

Jill ran faster than Harry. Faster is the adverb.

You use the superlative form when you consider three or more persons or things:

The blue whale is the biggest of all the animals. Biggest  is the adverb.

Positive Form

hard

fast

Comparative From

harder

faster

Comparative From

hardest

fastest

Most adverbs that end -ly form the comparative with the word more. The form the superlative with the word most.
Positive Form

easily

quietly

Comparative From

more easily

more quietly

Comparative From

most easily

most quietly

Some adverbs make their comparative and superlative forms by complete word changes.
Positive Form

well

little

Comparative From

better

less

Comparative From

best

least

Click here to go back to the main page

Click the dog to go on.