Adverbs like adjectives are used in comparisons. The positive is the base word (fast, quietly). The comparative is formed by adding –er or the word more (faster, more quietly), and the superlative by adding –est or the word most (fastest, most quietly). A few adverbs have irregular forms (well, better, best).
1) First Case
For adverbs that consist of one syllable we add “er” to adverbs to make comparative and “est” to make superlative form.
Example:
- He drives himself hard. (positive)
- He drives himself harder than I think he should. (comparative)
- He drives himself the hardest of anyone I know. (superlative)
2) Second Case
For adverbs which contain two or more syllables we add “more” to adverbs to form comparative and “most” to form superlative form.
Example:
- The tiger moves quietly through the jungle. (positive)
- The tiger moves more quietly than the deer. (comparative)
- The tiger moves the most quietly of the three big cats. (superlative)
3) Third Case
For some other adverbs that have irregular forms from positive to superlative like (well, better, best) we don’t use the first and second cases above.
Example:
- I write well with others in the room. (positive)
- I write better when I’m alone. (comparative)
- I write best late at night. (superlative)
