Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs
Key Notes:
You can use adverbs to compare actions.
Comparative adverbs compare the actions of a person, thing, or group to the actions of some other person, thing, or group.
Superlative adverbs compare the actions of a person, thing, or group to the actions of a larger group that it is part of. For adverbs that have one syllable, add -er to make the comparative adverb. Add -est to make the superlative adverb. If the base ends in e, drop the e before adding -er or -est.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| soon | sooner | soonest |
| close | closer | closest |
For adverbs that have more than one syllable, add more to make the comparative adverb. Add most to make the superlative adverb.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| safely | more safely | most safely |
For the adverb early, drop the y and add -it to make the comparative adverb. Add -it to make the superlative adverb.
| Base | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| early | earlier | earliest |
Learn with an example
1. ) Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.
- Harvey behaves the _____(maturely) of any young man I’ve ever met.
This sentence compares the actions of Harvey and all the young men I’ve met. The actions of a person are compared to the actions of a larger group the person is part of. That means you should use a superlative adverb. Since maturely has more than one syllable, add most to make the superlative adverb, most maturely.
2. ) Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.
- Luke has an incredible memory, so he usually remembers details ____(distinctly) than I do.
This sentence compares the actions of Luke and me. The actions of two people are compared, so you should use a comparative adverb. Since distinctly has more than one syllable, add more to make the comparative adverb, more distinctly.
3. ) Complete the sentence with the correct comparative or superlative adverb.
- As it turned out, our train left the depot much_____( late) than scheduled.
This sentence compares the actions of the train in reality and the train as scheduled. The actions of two things are compared, so you should use a comparative adverb. Since late has one syllable and ends in e, drop the e and add -er to make the comparative adverb, later.
let’s practice!
