Comparison of Adverbs

Syllabus tag: Kenya CBC | Grade 9 English | Theme 6.0 Leisure Time | Strand 6.3 Grammar | Sub-Strand 6.3.1 Comparison of Adverbs (2 Lessons)

Lesson objectives

By the end of this sub-strand, you should be able to:

• Identify the positive, comparative and superlative degrees of adverbs.
• Form comparative and superlative adverbs correctly.
• Use irregular adverb comparisons accurately.
• Appreciate the difference between comparing adverbs and comparing adjectives.

Summary

Adverbs, like adjectives, have three degrees of comparison: positive, comparative and superlative. The forming rule depends on the shape of the adverb. Short adverbs that look like adjectives, such as fast and hard, add er and est. Adverbs ending in ly, which are the majority, take more and most instead. A small group is irregular and must be memorised. The commonest error is attaching er to an ly adverb, producing forms such as quicklier that do not exist.