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Comparative Adverbs

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Comparative Adverbs
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1G

Basics on the topic Comparative Adverbs

Comparative Adverbs – Definition

What is a comparative adverb? Comparatives are used for comparing actions and events with one another. There are three forms we use for comparing. The positive, comparative and the superlative. Look at the chart below to see examples of these three forms of adverbs.

Form Example
positive long
comparative longer
superlative longest

The comparative adverb compares two actions or performances to one another.

Revision – Adverbs

Remember: Adverbs are words used to describe verbs. With adverbs, you can describe how something is done or in what manner something is done. You can find the adverb in a sentence by examining if the verb is described in more detail.

Subject Verb Adverb Object
My brother runs slower than my sister.

The adverb (slower) compares how fast the brother in the example can run compared to his sister.

Forming Comparative Adverbs

How do we make comparative adverbs? In this section we will look at the many different ways to make a comparative form of an adverb. Learning about these rules will help you answer the question: How do we use comparative adverbs? Each rule will also follow with comparative form of adverbs examples so you can also learn what is a comparative adverb example?

Forming Regular Comparatives

Regular comparative adverbs follow rules and patterns.

  • ​​If an adverb has one syllable, add the suffix er to the end. For example, fast is a one syllable adverb. We change it to the comparative form by adding the suffix er, making it faster.

_regular-comparative-adverbs-one-syllable-faster-comparative-adverb.svg

  • If an adverb has two syllables, add more or less in front. For example, quickly and often are two syllable adverbs. We change it to the comparative form by adding more or less in front, making them more quickly and less often.

regular-comparative-adverbs-two-syllables-more-quickly-less-often-comparative-adverb.svg

Forming Irregular Comparatives

Irregular comparative adverbs don't follow any of these rules, so we need to memorize how to make each of these adverbs comparative!

For example, the comparative adverb for far is further or farther.

regular-irregular-adverbs-far-further-farther-comparative-adverb.svg

Forming Informal Comparative Adverbs

Informal comparative adverbs are usually used in speech. Formal comparative adverbs are usually used in writing. These adverbs are also considered irregular because they don’t follow any rules, so we just have to memorize them! Let’s look at an example of formal and informal comparative adverbs:

Type of comparative Example
Formal more slowly
Informal slower

In complete sentences, you would use formal and informal comparative adverbs like this:

  • Mr. Blank, I think you should drive more slowly.
  • We will get there slower if you don’t speed up, Mary!

Whenever something is formal, it means that you address somebody in a more polite and professional manner. When you use informal language, you address friends, family and people close to you in a less serious manner.

What is a Comparative Adverb Summary

What is a comparative adverb? The comparative adverb definition states that it compares two actions or performances to one another. Regular comparative adverbs follow rules and patterns. Irregular comparative adverbs don't follow any of these rules, so we need to memorize how to make each of these adverbs comparative.

Want some more practice comparative adverbs? On this website you will find interactive exercises with examples, worksheets, and other activities!

Transcript Comparative Adverbs

Comparative Adverbs Pip and Koko just completed a round of their favorite game: Bigger, Better, Hero Adventure! The score screen uses comparative adverbs to describe how they did! Let's take a closer look. An adverb describes an action by answering questions such as: how?, when?, where?, how often?, and in what way?. A comparative adverb compares two actions or performances to one another. Regular comparative adverbs follow rules and patterns. If an adverb has ONE syllable, or one single unbroken sound, add the suffix to the end. For example, 'fast' is a one syllable adverb. We change it to the comparative form by adding the suffix , making it 'fast-er'. The score screen says: Pip collected the coins FASTER than Koko. If an adverb has TWO syllables, add 'more' or 'less' in front. For example, 'quickly' and 'often' are two syllable adverbs. We change it to the comparative form by adding 'more' or 'less' in front, making them 'more quickly' and 'less often'. The score screen says: Koko finished the level more quickly than Pip, and ran into the cacti less often. Irregular comparative adverbs don't follow any of these rules, so... we need to memorize how to make each of these adverbs comparative! For example, changing the adverb badly to worse... well to better... far to further or farther... little to less... much to more... and early to earlier. The score screen says: Koko and Pip finished the level earlier than the last attempt. Informal comparative adverbs have a FORMAL version with the ending suffix , and an INFORMAL version without it. Informal comparative adverbs are usually used in speech. Formal comparative adverbs are usually used in writing. Let's take a look at some examples: To make the adverb cheap or cheaply INFORMAL comparative... we add the suffix , making it cheap-er. To make it FORMAL comparative, we add the suffix and 'more' to the front, making it 'more cheaply'. To make the adverb slow or slowly INFORMAL comparative... we add the suffix , making it slow-er. To make it FORMAL comparative, we add the suffix and 'more' to the front, making it 'more slowly'. The score screen says: If Pip and Koko move more slowly next time, they may collect more coins than in today's game. Before Koko and Pip start the next level, let's summarize. Remember, (...) a comparative adverb compares two actions or performances to one another. Regular comparative adverbs follow rules and patterns while irregular comparative adverbs don't follow any rules, so... we need to memorize how to make each of these adverbs comparative! Informal comparative adverbs are usually used in speech and... formal comparative adverbs are usually used in writing. "Oh! I got it Koko! I'm going to choose this option more QUICKLY than you!" [Pip clicks don't save] "PIP NOOOOOOO! That was my highest score!" "Well it looks like we get a rematch!"

Comparative Adverbs exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video Comparative Adverbs.
  • Which questions do adverbs answer?

    Hints

    What questions do the bold-faced words in the sentence below answer?

    Pip ran faster than Koko to the store.

    This correct answer is the same as asking "What time?"

    There are five correct answers.

    Solution

    An adverb answers questions such as: How did the car drive? When do you do your homework? Where was the bird? How often do you go to the beach? In what way did the crowd cheer?

  • Explain the rules for making comparative adverbs.

    Hints

    Pip played the game more often than Koko.

    Solution

    Memorize the rules of regular comparative adverbs:

    1. If an adverb has one syllable, add er to the end.
    2. If an adverb has two syllables, add more or less in front.
  • Recognize the different types of comparative adverbs.

    Hints

    Regular adverbs with one syllable add the suffix -er to become comparative.

    The word quicker is an example of an informal comparative adverb.

    Solution
    1. Irregular comparative adverbs don't follow rules and must be memorized.
    2. Regular comparative adverbs add er or est on the end.
    3. Formal adverbs are used in writing and include the word more or less.
    4. Informal comparative adverbs can be used in speech.
  • Determine the types of comparative adverbs.

    Hints

    Regular adverbs with 2 syllables become comparative with the addition of the words more or less.

    The comparative of well is better.

    Here is an example of a sentence using a regular comparative adverb:

    The test was harder than we thought!

    Solution

    Regular adverbs with 1 syllable take the suffix er to become comparative. Irregular adverbs must be memorized.

  • Make the adverbs comparative.

    Hints

    When you do something well, it may be better than how someone else does it.

    Adverbs that end in y, drop the y and add ier to become comparative.

    Solution

    To make normal adverbs comparative, add er or ier.

  • Create comparative adverbs.

    Hints

    When making comparative adverbs with one syllable words, add the suffix -er.

    When adding comparatives to a word that ends in -y, drop the y and add -ier.

    Solution

    Here are the answers with the correct comparative adverbs:

    Jane had skates that were prettier than any other skates at the rink. They were red with yellow laces.

    Jane was not faster than her friend Ernie, but she did not care. Her spins were more graceful than Ernie's. She loved to look elegant! Her moves were smoother than ice.