Comparative Adverbs in English

An English teacher explains how adverbs are put into the comparative form.

Adverbs are more difficult than adjectives to put into the comparative form. Comparative adverbs naturally describe verbs.

Regular Adverb Comparison

Regular (with the –ly suffix) comparative adverbs take more before them like long adjectives.

slowly → more slowly

She’s moving more slowly now that she’s 86 years old.

Please speak more slowly.

More slowly is a comparative adverb describing the verbs move and speak.

carefully → more carefully

You must do your work more carefully.

He drives more carefully than anyone I know.

More carefully describes the verbs do and drive.

seriously → more seriously

He has to take his schoolwork more seriously.

Irregular Adverb Comparison

Irregular adverbs become comparative with the –er ending like short adjectives.

fast → faster

We have to go faster to arrive on time.

hard → harder

The team played harder this time and they won.

well → better

I have to do better on my tests.

The irregular adverb well comes from the adjective good.

late → lately

I have to work later.

early → earlier

Get up earlier.

I’m earlier today than I was yesterday.

I have to get up earlier than I did yesterday.