Adverbs form three degrees of comparison much like adjectives do. An adverb in its basic form is in the positive degree. Adverbs showing a higher or lower degree of comparison between two alternatives are in the comparative degree. Adverbs used to show the highest or lowest degree among three or more alternatives are in the superlative degree.

Positive Degree

Adverbs in the positive degree are not making a comparison and remain in their simple base form.

Dave studies hard.

Anne is absolutely terrified of spiders.

The students performed admirably on their final exams.

The adverbs in these examples are simply modifying their respective verbs and adjectives. They are not comparing the actions or descriptions in question to those of anyone or anything else.

Comparative Degree

The comparative degree is formed differently for different types of adverbs. For adverbs having only one syllable, the comparative degree is formed by adding “-er” to the end of the adverb. If the adverb already ends with an “e,” then only “r” must be added.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree
hard	harder
slow	slower
late	later

For adverbs formed by adding “-ly” to the end of an adjective, the word more or less is placed before the adverb. No spelling changes are necessary.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree
nicely	more / less nicely
terribly	more / less terribly
quickly	more / less quickly

Irregular adverbs do not follow either of the previous rules and must simply be memorized.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree
well	better
badly	worse
little	less
far	farther / further

Superlative Degree

The superlative degree is formed according to similar rules as the comparative degree. Adverbs having only one syllable are made superlative by adding “-est” or, for those already ending in “e,” simply “-st.”

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
hard	harder	hardest
slow	slower	slowest
late	later	latest

The word most or least must be used before adverbs formed by adding “-ly” to an adjective.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
nicely	more / less nicely	most / least nicely
terribly	more / less terribly	most / least terribly
quickly	more / less quickly	most / least quickly

Irregular adverbs, of course, do not follow either set of rules and must be memorized.

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

Adverbs Having Two Forms

As you might have already noticed, some of the adverbs used above and plenty of others have two correct forms.

Positive Degree	Comparative Degree	Superlative Degree
slow / slowly	slower / more slowly	slowest / most slowly
quick / quickly	quicker / more quickly	quickest / most quickly
loud / loudly	louder / more loudly	loudest / most loudly

Also take note that some adverbs having more than one form take different meanings depending on which form is used.

John arrived late.

As an adverb without the “-ly” ending, late means that John did not arrive on time.

John has not been attending our meetings lately.

The adverb lately, however, means that John has not been attending our meetings recently.

Sean drove around near the abandoned warehouse.

Near indicates that Sean was driving close to the abandoned warehouse.

We are nearly there.

Nearly means that we are almost to our destination.

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