6.32 irregular forms

Some very common adverbs have comparatives and superlatives that are single words and not formed using 'more' and 'most'. Note that adverbs that have irregular comparatives also have irregular superlatives.

'Well' has the comparative 'better', and the superlative 'best'.

• She would ask him later, when she knew him better.
• I have to find out what I can do best.

'Badly' has the comparative 'worse' and the superlative 'worst'.

• 'I don't think the crowd helped her,' Gordon admitted. 'She played worse.'
• The expedition from Mozambique fared worst.

Note that 'worse' and 'worst' are also the comparative and superlative of 'ill' when it is an adverb or adjective.

6.33

Adverbs which have the same form as adjectives also have the same comparatives and superlatives as the adjectives. For example, 'fast' has 'faster' and 'fastest', and 'hard' has 'harder' and 'hardest'. For a list of common adverbs which have the same form as adjectives, see paragraph 6.23.

• This would enable claims to be dealt with faster.
• They worked harder, they were more honest.
• The winning blow is the one that strikes hardest.
• The sugar should be preserving sugar as this dissolves fastest.
• The tax burden increased fastest for the poor and for those with children.

6.34

Some adverbs have comparatives and superlatives with 'more' and 'most', but also have single word comparatives and superlatives.

• They can be built more quickly.
• You probably learn quicker by having lessons.
• A child cools off quickest if the parents fade away and go about their business.
• The American computer firm will be relying more heavily on its new Scottish plant.
• South Africa's diamonds, gold, and uranium weigh heavier in the balance than Guinea's bananas.
• The burden fell most heavily on Kanhai.
• Illiteracy, like other forms of educational disadvantage, weighs heaviest on the groups who are already disadvantaged in other ways.