Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs (Grammar Lesson)

The Quick Answer
The rules for forming comparatives (e.g., better, more quickly, less efficiently) and superlatives (e.g., best, most quickly, least efficiently) from adverbs are explained below. As they are quite complicated, some people form double comparatives (e.g., more better, more quicklier) or double superlatives (e.g., bestest, most quickliest). These double forms are serious grammar errors.

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

The rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs are varied.

Comparatives of Adverbs

Here are some examples of comparatives of adverbs:
  • The goat can see better than you think.
    • (better — comparative of well)
  • Try to paint the edges more carefully; it will save time later.
    • (more carefully — comparative of carefully)

  • He tries harder than most, but he has no aptitude for languages.
    • (harder — comparative of hard)
  • The engine operates less efficiently with alcohol.
    • (less efficiently — comparative of efficiently)

Superlatives of Adverbs

Here are some examples of superlatives of adverbs:
  • I have found that the office runs best with the radio on and the heating down.
    • (best — superlative of well)
  • The gift is most gratefully received.
    • (most gratefully: superlative of gratefully)
  • It was obvious that they were not used to high heels, but Karen moved least gracefully of all.
    • (least gracefully — superlative of gracefully)

  • She answered most abruptly .
    • (most abruptly: superlative of abruptly)
In general, comparatives and superlatives of adverbs do not cause difficulties for native English speakers. However, the mistake of using a double comparative or a double superlative is fairly common in speech. This error is more common with the comparatives and superlatives of adjectives, but is occasionally seen with adverbs too.

Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs

The table below shows the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs:

Type of Adverb Example of Type of Adverb How to Form the Comparative How to Form the Superlative
One Syllable
fast
hard 		add er
faster
harder 		add est
fastest
hardest
More Than One Syllable carefully add less or more
more carefully		 add most or least
most carefully
Irregular
badly
well 		no rules
worse
better		 no rules
worst
best

See Also

What are adverbs? Comparatives and superlatives of adjectives List of easily confused words