186. A few superlatives end in -most. With these, one or both of the other degrees are commonly wanting.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| —— | (former) | foremost |
| hind | hinder | hindmost |
| —— | inner | inmost, innermost |
| (out, adverb) | outer | outmost, outermost |
| (utter) | utmost, uttermost | |
| (up, adverb) | upper | uppermost |
| —— | —— | endmost |
| —— | nether | nethermost |
| top | —— | topmost |
| —— | —— | furthermost |
| north | —— | northmost |
| northern | (more northern) | northernmost |
| south | —— | southmost |
| southern | (more southern) | southernmost |
| east, eastern | (more eastern) | easternmost |
| west, western | (more western) | westernmost |
Note. The ending -most is not the adverb most. It is a very old superlative ending -mest changed under the influence of the adverb most.
187. For adjectives incapable of comparison, see [§ 202]. For special rules for the use of comparative and superlative, see [§§ 199–203].
188. In parsing an adjective, tell whether it is descriptive or definitive, mention the substantive to which it belongs, and specify the degree of comparison.
CHAPTER V
ADVERBS
189. An adverb is a word which modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
- The storm ceased suddenly.
- A very disastrous storm swept the coast.
- The storm ceased very suddenly.
190. Adverbs are classified according to their meaning as: (1) adverbs of manner; (2) adverbs of time; (3) adverbs of place; (4) adverbs of degree.[24]