Adverbs: Comparative & Superlative

Rule

In general, comparative and superlative forms of adverbs are the same as for adjectives:

  • add -er or -est to short adverbs:

Adverb Comparative Superlative

hard
late
fast

harder
later
faster

the hardest
the latest
the fastest

Example:

  • Jim works harder than his brother.
  • Everyone in the race ran fast, but John ran the fastest of all.

Rule

With adverbs ending in -ly, use more for the comparative and most for the superlative:

Adverb Comparative Superlative

quietly
slowly
seriously

more quietly
 more slowly
 more seriously

most quietly
 most slowly
 most seriously

Example:

  • The teacher spoke more slowly to help us to understand.
  • Could you sing more quietly please?

Rule

Some adverbs have irregular comparative forms:

Adverb Comparative Superlative
badly
far
little
well 		worse
farther/further
less
better 		worst
farthest/furthest
least
best

Example:

  • The little boy ran further than his friends.
  • You're driving worse today than yesterday !

BE CAREFUL! Sometimes 'most' can mean 'very':

  • We were most grateful for your help
  • I am most impressed by this application.



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