Formes comparatives et superlatives des adverbes

Avec les adverbes se terminant par -ly, il faut utiliser more pour le comparatif et most pour le superlatif.

Adverbe Comparatif Superlatif
quietly more quietly most quietly
slowly more slowly most slowly
seriously more seriously most seriously
Exemples
  • The teacher spoke more slowly to help us to understand.
  • Could you sing more quietly please?

Pour les adverbes courts qui ne terminent pas par -ly, les formes comparatives et superlatives sont identiques aux adjectifs: ajouter -er pour former le comparatif et -est pour former le superlatif. Si l'adverbe termine par e, il faut l'enlever avant d'ajouter la terminaison.

Adverbe Comparatif Superlatif
hard harder hardest
fast faster fastest
late later latest
Exemples
  • Jim works harder than his brother.
  • Everyone in the race ran fast, but John ran the fastest of all.

Certains adverbes ont des formes comparatives irrégulières.

Adverbe Comparatif Superlatif
badly worse worst
far farther/further farthest/furthest
little less least
well better best
Exemples
  • The little boy ran farther than his friends.
  • You're driving worse today than yesterday !
  • He played the best of any player.