Comparative adverbs show how an action happens more or less than another action. They compare two actions or two situations and answer questions like “how?” “how often?” or “to what degree?” In a comparison, the focus is the verb or the whole action, not a noun.

Comparative adverbs compare the manner, frequency, or degree of actions: “run faster,” “work more carefully,” “visit less often.” They often appear in sentences with a comparison frame, such as “than,” “as … as,” or “the … the …,” to show the relationship between two actions.

Many one-syllable adverbs form the comparative with -er. This pattern is common with adverbs that look like adjectives, especially when they do not end in -ly. Spelling may change in the same way as adjectives when adding -er.

Rule	Example
Add -er to most one-syllable adverbs	She ran faster than I did.
If the adverb ends in -e, add -r	Please arrive later than usual.
If the adverb ends consonant vowel consonant, double the final consonant	He moved bigger boxes quicker yesterday.
Use than to introduce the second action or situation	They spoke louder than before.

Most adverbs ending in -ly form the comparative with more or less, not -er. This keeps the adverb easy to read and avoids awkward forms. Use the same structure to compare the actions clearly.

Rule	Example
Use more with most -ly adverbs	He explained it more clearly than last time.
Use less to show a lower degree	She drives less cautiously at night than in the rain.
Keep the adverb after the verb or object when it modifies the action	They finished the task more efficiently this week.

A few common adverbs have irregular comparative forms. These do not use -er or more, so they must be learned as fixed patterns. They are very frequent in everyday English.

Word/Phrase	Definition	Example
well → better	in a better way	She sings better than her sister.
badly → worse	in a worse way	He performed worse than expected.
much → more	to a greater degree or amount	I travel more now than before.
little → less	to a smaller degree or amount	They worry less these days.
far → farther or further	to a greater distance or degree	We walked further than we planned.

Than introduces the second part of the comparison and helps the listener understand what the action is being compared to. The phrase after than can be a clause or a shorter phrase, depending on how much information is needed. In careful writing, the form after than can reflect whether it is a subject or object.

Rule	Example
Use than with a full clause when you want to repeat the idea of the verb	She works faster than he does.
Use a shorter phrase after than when the meaning stays clear	She works faster than him.
Place not before the comparative to show the opposite comparison	He didn’t respond more politely than before.

As … as is used to say two actions are equal in degree: “as quickly as,” “as often as,” “as carefully as.” To show inequality, use not as … as or not so … as. This structure is common in both speaking and writing and often sounds more neutral than a than-comparison.

Rule	Example
Use as + adverb + as for equality	She can type as quickly as I can.
Use not as + adverb + as for a weaker action	He doesn’t speak as confidently as before.
Use not so + adverb + as as an alternative, slightly more formal in some contexts	They didn’t arrive so early as we did.

Degree words make comparative adverbs stronger or weaker. Use them to show how big the difference is, especially in conversation and persuasive writing. Some degree words work best with -er forms, while others commonly pair with more or less.

Rule	Example
Use much, far, a lot to intensify many comparatives	She finished much faster than I did.
Use a little, slightly, a bit to soften a comparison	He spoke a bit more slowly than usual.
Use even to show a change beyond what was expected	They worked even more efficiently after the update.
Avoid very with comparative adverbs in standard use	She drove much more carefully than before.

Comparative adverbs usually appear in the same positions as regular adverbs: after the main verb, after the object, or at the end of the clause. Choose the position that clearly connects the comparison to the action. Keep the comparative close to the verb it modifies to avoid confusion.

Rule	Example
Put the comparative after the verb when there is no object	Please speak more quietly.
Put the comparative after the object when the verb has one	She completed the form more accurately.
Put the comparison phrase after the comparative	He reacted more calmly than I expected.
Use sentence-end placement for clarity in longer clauses	They explained the process more clearly during the meeting.

The the … the … structure expresses that one change causes or is linked to another: “The harder you work, the more easily you learn.” It often uses comparative adverbs in one or both parts. This structure is useful for general truths, advice, and cause-and-effect explanations.

Rule	Example
Use the + comparative to show linked change	The more carefully you listen, the better you understand.
The clause order can be reversed without changing the meaning	The better you prepare, the more confidently you speak.
Use commas when each part is a full clause	The longer you wait, the more impatiently people react.

Comparative adverbs modify verbs, while comparative adjectives modify nouns. Some words can be both an adjective and an adverb, so the difference depends on what is being modified. Checking whether the word describes an action or a thing helps you choose the correct form and placement.

Rule	Example
Use an adverb to compare actions	She drives faster than he does.
Use an adjective to compare nouns	Her car is faster than his car.
Some forms look the same in both roles, so use the sentence structure to identify them	He arrived earlier than I did.