Adverbs show how, when, where, or to what degree something happens. Superlative adverbs highlight the highest degree of an action, making comparisons clear and vivid.
Formation
Adverbs that end in -ly form the superlative with "most" or "least" before them. Short adverbs without -ly usually take -est.
Ella corre la más rápida de todas las jugadoras.
Adverbs Ending in -ly
Adverbs ending in -ly use most or least to form the superlative because adding -est sounds unnatural.
Short Adverbs
Short adverbs like fast, soon, and hard typically form the superlative by adding -est. They can also sometimes use most for emphasis.
| English Word(s) | English Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| fast | fastest | |
| soon | soonest | |
| hard | hardest | |
| early | earliest |
Irregular Adverbs
Some adverbs have irregular superlative forms that you have to memorize. These adverbs do not follow the usual rules for -est or most.
| English Word(s) | English Superlative | |
|---|---|---|
| well | best | |
| badly | worst | |
| far | farthest / furthest | |
| little | least | |
| much / many | most |
Usage
Use the superlative adverb to show that one action stands out above all others in degree or quality. The superlative often appears in contexts where you compare three or more actions or events.
Summary
Adverbs ending in -ly take most or least for the superlative; short adverbs add -est; irregular adverbs must be learned. Use superlative adverbs to highlight the highest degree of how an action happens.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025