| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| clearly | more clearly | most clearly |
| nobly | more nobly | most nobly |
| ably | more ably | most ably |
| truly | more truly | most truly |
Or, in the descending comparison:
| clearly | less clearly | least clearly |
| nobly | less nobly | least nobly |
| ably | less ably | least ably |
| truly | less truly | least truly |
294. The following adverbs are compared irregularly. It would be well to memorize this list:
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| ill | worse | worst |
| well | better | best |
| badly | worse | worst |
| far | further (farther) | furthest (farthest) |
| little | less | least |
| much | more | most |
Some adverbs are incapable of comparison, as here, there, now, today, hence, therefore, etc.
Exercise 1
In the following sentences mark which adverbs are used in the positive, which in the comparative and which in the superlative degree:
- He came too late to get his letter.
- I can understand clearly since you have explained the matter to me.
- He speaks most truly concerning a matter of which he is well informed.
- If he comes quickly he will arrive in time.
- I will be able to speak more effectively when I have studied the subject.
- Those who argue most ably are those who are in complete possession of the facts.
- He needs to take a course such as this very badly.
- I am too weary to go farther today.
- This is the least expensive of them all.
- If he arrives later in the day I will not be able to see him.
- I can understand him more clearly than I can his friend.
- You must work more rapidly under the Taylor system of efficiency.
- Those who are least trained lose their positions first.
- Those who are best fitted for the positions do not always receive them.