An adverb of comparison is a type of adverb used to compare two or more actions, states, or degrees. These adverbs help us show changes or make direct comparisons between how different things are done. They are categorized into two main forms: comparative adverbs and superlative adverbs.
Comparative Adverbs
Comparative adverbs are used to compare two actions or describe how an action is performed to a greater or lesser degree than another. They highlight a difference between two elements.
Formation:
- For most short adverbs (usually one syllable or two syllables ending in -ly), add -er to the end.
- Example: fast → faster, hard → harder, quick → quicker
- For adverbs ending in -ly, or longer adverbs, use more before the adverb.
- Example: quickly → more quickly, often → more often, carefully → more carefully
- Irregular forms exist, which change their form entirely.
- Example: well → better, badly → worse, little → less, much → more
Usage and Examples:
Comparative adverbs are essential for showing progression, change, or direct comparison between two subjects' actions.
- Showing Change:
- She began to speak more quickly. (Indicates a change in her speaking speed)
- They are working harder now. (Shows an increase in their effort)
- I forget things more often nowadays. (Highlights an increase in the frequency of forgetting)
- Making Comparisons (often with "than"):
- He runs faster than his brother.
- She sings more beautifully than anyone else in the choir.
- You should arrive earlier than the others to get a good seat.
- He performed worse on the test today than yesterday.
Superlative Adverbs
Superlative adverbs are used to compare three or more actions and indicate the extreme degree of an action among the group. They show which action is performed to the highest or lowest extent.
Formation:
- For most short adverbs (one syllable or two syllables ending in -ly), add -est to the end.
- Example: fast → fastest, hard → hardest, quick → quickest
- For adverbs ending in -ly, or longer adverbs, use most before the adverb.
- Example: quickly → most quickly, often → most often, carefully → most carefully
- Irregular forms also exist for superlatives.
- Example: well → best, badly → worst, little → least, much → most
Usage and Examples:
Superlative adverbs pinpoint the absolute extreme of an action within a group.
- She drives most carefully of all the drivers in the race.
- Among all the participants, he jumped highest.
- Of all the students, she answered the questions most accurately.
- The team that prepared least lost the game.
Comparative and Superlative Adverbs at a Glance
Here's a table summarizing common adverbs and their comparative and superlative forms:
| Positive Adverb | Comparative Adverb | Superlative Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| Fast | Faster | Fastest |
| Hard | Harder | Hardest |
| Quick | Quicker | Quickest |
| Slowly | More slowly | Most slowly |
| Carefully | More carefully | Most carefully |
| Often | More often | Most often |
| Early | Earlier | Earliest |
| Well | Better | Best |
| Badly | Worse | Worst |
| Little | Less | Least |
| Much | More | Most |
Understanding adverbs of comparison is key to expressing degrees of action and making precise comparisons in English. They allow for nuanced descriptions of how actions unfold, whether it's showing a subtle change or highlighting an absolute extreme.
