John arrived late.Īs an adverb without the “-ly” ending, late means that John did not arrive on time. Positive DegreeĪlso take note that some adverbs having more than one form take different meanings depending on which form is used. Positive DegreeĪs you might have already noticed, some of the adverbs used above and plenty of others have two correct forms.

Irregular adverbs, of course, do not follow either set of rules and must be memorized. The word most or least must be used before adverbs formed by adding “-ly” to an adjective. Adverbs having only one syllable are made superlative by adding “-est” or, for those already ending in “e,” simply “-st.” Positive Degree The superlative degree is formed according to similar rules as the comparative degree. Irregular adverbs do not follow either of the previous rules and must simply be memorized. Positive Degreeįor adverbs formed by adding “-ly” to the end of an adjective, the word more or less is placed before the adverb. If the adverb already ends with an “e,” then only “r” must be added. For adverbs having only one syllable, the comparative degree is formed by adding “-er” to the end of the adverb. The comparative degree is formed differently for different types of adverbs. They are not comparing the actions or descriptions in question to those of anyone or anything else. The adverbs in these examples are simply modifying their respective verbs and adjectives. The students performed admirably on their final exams. Positive DegreeĪdverbs in the positive degree are not making a comparison and remain in their simple base form. Adverbs used to show the highest or lowest degree among three or more alternatives are in the superlative degree. Adverbs showing a higher or lower degree of comparison between two alternatives are in the comparative degree. An adverb in its basic form is in the positive degree. Adverbs form three degrees of comparison much like adjectives do.

What is adverb of degree