What are adverbs?
Adverbs are words that describe or give more information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often tell how, when, where, or how much something happens.
- She ran quickly.
- He spoke softly.
- They arrived early.
Many adverbs end in -ly, but not all adverbs do.
Using adverbs to compare
Adverbs can be used to compare actions. When comparing how two or more actions happen, we use different forms of adverbs.
- Tom runs fast, but Ana runs faster.
- Of all the players, Mia ran the fastest.
When comparing actions, ask yourself: How is one action different from another?
Comparative adverbs
Comparative adverbs are used to compare two actions. They often end in -er or use the word more.
- She worked harder than yesterday.
- He finished more quickly than his friend.
Short adverbs often add -er, while longer adverbs usually use more.
Superlative adverbs
Superlative adverbs are used to compare three or more actions. They often end in -est or use the word most.
- She laughed the loudest of all.
- He completed the puzzle the most carefully.
Use superlative adverbs only when comparing more than two actions.
Irregular adverbs used in comparisons
Some adverbs do not follow the usual rules when comparing. These are called irregular adverbs.
- well → better → best
- badly → worse → worst
Irregular adverbs must be memorized because they do not follow regular spelling rules.
Using adverbs correctly in sentences
When using adverbs to compare, make sure your sentence clearly shows what actions are being compared.
- Yesterday, I read slowly, but today I read faster.
- Of everyone in the class, Jay finished his work the best.
Read your sentence aloud. If the comparison sounds clear and correct, the adverb is likely used properly.