Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

The Quick Answer

The rules for forming comparatives (e.g., better, more quickly, less efficiently) and superlatives (e.g., best, most quickly, least efficiently) from adverbs are explained below. As they are quite complicated, some people form double comparatives (e.g., more better, more quicklier) or double superlatives (e.g., bestest, most quickliest). These double forms are serious grammar errors.

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

The rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs are varied.

Comparatives of Adverbs

Here are some examples of comparatives of adverbs:

• The goat can see better than you think. ✔︎

(better — comparative of well)

• Try to paint the edges more carefully; it will save time later. ✔︎

(more carefully — comparative of carefully)

• He tries harder than most, but he has no aptitude for languages. ✔︎

(harder — comparative of hard)

• The engine operates less efficiently with alcohol. ✔︎

(less efficiently — comparative of efficiently)

Superlatives of Adverbs

Here are some examples of superlatives of adverbs:

• I have found that the office runs best with the radio on and the heating down. ✔︎

(best — superlative of well)

• The gift is most gratefully received. ✔︎

(most gratefully: superlative of gratefully)

• It was obvious that they were not used to high heels, but Karen moved least gracefully of all. ✔︎

(least gracefully — superlative of gracefully)

• She answered most abruptly . ✔︎

(most abruptly: superlative of abruptly)

In general, comparatives and superlatives of adverbs do not cause difficulties for native English speakers. However, the mistake of using a double comparative or a double superlative is fairly common in speech. This error is more common with the comparatives and superlatives of adjectives, but is occasionally seen with adverbs too.

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

The table below shows the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs:

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AGH / Feb 2020