superlative adverbs

superlative adverbs
Comparative and superlative adverbs are used to say how something happens or is done compared with how it happened or was done on a different occasion. They are also used to say how something is done by one person or thing compared with how it is done by someone or something else.
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◊ forming comparative and superlative adverbs
The comparative of an adverb is usually formed by putting `more' in front of the adverb.

He began to speak more quickly.

The people needed business skills so that they could manage themselves more effectively.

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The superlative of an adverb is usually formed by putting `most' in front of the adverb.

You are likely to have bills which can most easily be paid by post.

The country most severely affected was Holland.

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◊ single-word forms
Some very common adverbs have comparatives and superlatives that are single words and are not formed using `more' and `most'.
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The comparative and superlative forms of `well' are `better' and `best'.

...when I got to know him better.

Why don't you go back to doing what you do best?

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The usual comparative and superlative forms of `badly' are `worse' and `worst'.

Socially, my wife fares worse than I do.

Those in the poorest groups are worst hit.

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However, `badly' has a special meaning for which the comparative and superlative are `more badly' and `most badly'. This is explained in the entry at ↑ bad - badly.
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Adverbs which have the same form as adjectives have the same comparatives and superlatives as the adjectives.

This would enable claims to be dealt with faster.

They worked harder, they were more honest.

The person who sang loudest took the rest of us with him.

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The following words have the same comparative and superlative forms whether they are used as adverbs or adjectives:
close, deep, early, far, fast, hard, long, loud, low, near, quick, slow, straight, tight, wide
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The adverb `late' has the comparative form `later', and the adverb `soon' has the comparative form `sooner'. The superlative forms `latest' and `soonest' are hardly ever used.
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◊ 'the' with superlatives
It is possible to use `the' with single-word superlative adverbs, but this use is not common.

The old people work the hardest.

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Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Comparative and superlative adverbs — ◊ GRAMMAR Comparative and superlative adverbs are used to say how something happens or is done compared with how it happened or was done on a different occasion. They are also used to say how something is done by one person or thing compared with …   Useful english dictionary

  • comparative and superlative adverbs — ◊ GRAMMAR Comparative and superlative adverbs are used to say how something happens or is done compared with how it happened or was done on a different occasion. They are also used to say how something is done by one person or thing compared with …   Useful english dictionary

  • Superlative — Su per*la tive, n. 1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree. [1913 Webster] 2. (Gram.) (a) The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, a form or word by which the superlative degree is expressed; as, strongest,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • superlative — [sə pʉr′lə tiv, so͞opʉr′lə tiv] adj. [ME < MFr superlatif < LL superlativus < L superlatus, excessive < super , above, beyond + latus, pp. of ferre, to BEAR1] 1. superior to or excelling all other or others; of the highest kind,… …   English World dictionary

  • superlative adjectives — ◊ GRAMMAR comparative adjectives Comparative adjectives are used to indicate that something has more of a quality than something else, or more than it used to have. The comparative of an adjective is formed by adding er , as in smaller , or by… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Superlative — In grammar the superlative of an adjective or adverb is the greatest form of adjective or adverb which indicates that something has some feature to a greater degree than anything it is being compared to in a given context. For example, if Adam is …   Wikipedia

  • superlative — superlatively, adv. superlativeness, n. /seuh perr leuh tiv, soo /, adj. 1. of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all else or others; supreme; extreme: superlative wisdom. 2. Gram. of, pertaining to, or noting the highest degree of… …   Universalium

  • superlative — su•per•la•tive [[t]səˈpɜr lə tɪv, sʊ [/t]] adj. 1) of the highest kind or order 2) gram. of or designating the highest degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs, used to show the extreme or greatest in quality, quantity, or intensity, as in… …   From formal English to slang

  • superlative — /suˈpɜlətɪv / (say sooh perluhtiv) adjective 1. of the highest kind or order; surpassing all others; supreme; extreme: superlative wisdom. 2. being more than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style. 3. Grammar a. denoting the… …  

  • Comparative adverbs — ◊ GRAMMAR Comparative and superlative adverbs are used to say how something happens or is done compared with how it happened or was done on a different occasion. They are also used to say how something is done by one person or thing compared with …   Useful english dictionary

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