COMPARISON OF ADVERBS
288. Many adverbs are compared, and, when compared, have the same
inflection as adjectives.
The following, irregularly compared, are often used as adjectives:--
_Positive._ _Comparative._ _Superlative._
well better best
ill or badly worse worst
much more most
little less least
nigh or near nearer nearest or next
far farther, further farthest, furthest
late later latest, last
(rathe, _obs._) rather
289. Most monosyllabic adverbs add _-er_ and _-est_ to form the
comparative and superlative, just as adjectives do; as, _high_,
_higher_, _highest_; _soon_, _sooner_, _soonest_.
Adverbs in _-ly_ usually have _more_ and _most_ instead of the
inflected form, only occasionally having _-er_ and _-est_.
Its strings _boldlier_ swept.--COLERIDGE.
None can deem _harshlier_ of me than I deem.--BYRON.
Only that we may _wiselier_ see.--EMERSON.
Then must she keep it _safelier_.--TENNYSON.
I should _freelier_ rejoice in that absence.--SHAKESPEARE.
[Sidenote: _Form_ vs. _use._]
290. The fact that a word ends in _-ly_ does not make it an adverb.
Many adjectives have the same ending, and must be distinguished by
their use in the sentence.
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