Adverbs

• We do NOT use adjectives to describe verbs. We USE adverbs to describe verbs.

• Many adverbs are formed by adding the ‘ly’ ending to adverbs.

• Some adverbs do not take ‘ly’ ending. They have the same form as adjectives.

Adverbs

Far Fast Hard High Last

Late Long Low Near Straight

Adverbs of Comparison

Adverbs of Comparison

1. Comparative AdverbsWhen we compare the actions of two people,

we use comparative adverbs. Use than after the comparative adverb.

Example:• Our English teacher leaves earlier than Our

science teacher.

2. Superlative AdverbsWhen we compare the actions of more than

two people, we use superlative adverbs.

Use the before the superlative adjective.Example:• Of all the competitors, he runs the fastest.

Adverbs of Comparison

Regular Adverbs

• With one-syllable adverbs, we usually use ‘er’ and ‘est’ ending for their comparative and superlative forms.

ComparativeAdverbs

SuperlativeAdverbs

With one syllable adverbs, -er or –est are added

Adverb + ‘er’ endingsoon – sooner than

late – later than

Adverb + ‘est’ endingsoon – the soonest

Late - the latest

Regular Adverbs

• With two-syllable adverbs are formed by adding the ‘ly’ to adverbs ending for their comparative and superlative forms.

ComparativeAverbs

SuperlativeAverbs

With two-syllable adverbs, -ly are added

More + Adverb + ‘ly’ carefully – more carefully

Slowly – more slowly

Most + Adverb + ‘ly’ carefully – most carefully

Slowly – most slowly

Irregular Adverbs

Examples:• David sang well at the concert.• Sam sang better than him at the concert.• Tim sang the best among them.

PositiveAdverbs

ComparativeAdverbs

SuperlativeAdverbs

Some adverbs are formed irregularly

WellBadlyMuchLittle

BetterWorseMoreLess

BestWorstMostLeast

REMEMBER!

• Since the ‘er’ ending and more are both forms of comparative adverbs, we CANNOT use them together.

• Since the ‘est’ ending and most are both forms of superlative adverbs, we CANNOT use them together.

Example:They studied more harder than us. FalseThey studied harder than us. True

• Prepared by: Tan Eileen