Comparison of Adverbs Approach them not just carefully or rather carefully, but most carefully!

Basics Just as with adjectives, adverbs have three degrees: Just as with adjectives, adverbs have three degrees: Positive Positive Comparative Comparative Superlative Superlative Examples: lentē, lentius, lentissimē; also breviter, brevius, brevissimē Examples: lentē, lentius, lentissimē; also breviter, brevius, brevissimē

Adjective to Adverb Adverbs are generally formed from adjectives. Adverbs are generally formed from adjectives. The formation of the positive adverb depends on the declension of the corresponding adjective. The formation of the positive adverb depends on the declension of the corresponding adjective. For a adjective, drop the nominative feminine singular ending and add –e. For a adjective, drop the nominative feminine singular ending and add –e. E.g. lentus – lentē (slowly); pulcher – pulchrē (beautifully) E.g. lentus – lentē (slowly); pulcher – pulchrē (beautifully)

Adverbs from 3 rd Declension Adj. For most 3 rd declension adjectives, drop the nominative feminine singular ending (-is) and add –iter to form the adverb. For most 3 rd declension adjectives, drop the nominative feminine singular ending (-is) and add –iter to form the adverb. E.g., brevis – breviter (shortly) E.g., brevis – breviter (shortly) N.B. Facilis (easy) becomes facile (easily). N.B. Facilis (easy) becomes facile (easily). For 3 rd declension adjectives ending in –ns, drop the –is from the genitive singular and add –nter to form the adverb. For 3 rd declension adjectives ending in –ns, drop the –is from the genitive singular and add –nter to form the adverb. E.g., prūdēns – prūdenter (wisely) E.g., prūdēns – prūdenter (wisely)

Time for Practice Form the adverbs from the following adjectives: Form the adverbs from the following adjectives: ignāvus, -a, -um ignāvus, -a, -um ignāvē ignāvē fortis, -is, -e fortis, -is, -e fortiter fortiter neglegēns, neglegentis neglegēns, neglegentis neglegenter neglegenter laetus, -a, -um laetus, -a, -um laetē laetē celer, celeris, celere celer, celeris, celere celeriter celeriter

Comparative Adverbs The comparative adverb is identical to the neuter nominative singular of the comparative adjective. The comparative adverb is identical to the neuter nominative singular of the comparative adjective. Translate it with “more” or “rather” plus “-ly.” Translate it with “more” or “rather” plus “-ly.” E.g., lentior (slower) becomes lentius (more slowly). E.g., lentior (slower) becomes lentius (more slowly). Prūdentior (wiser) becomes prūdentius (more wisely). Prūdentior (wiser) becomes prūdentius (more wisely).

Superlative Adverbs To form the superlative adverb, take the To form the superlative adverb, take the –us off the masculine nominative singular of the superlative adjective and add -ē. –us off the masculine nominative singular of the superlative adjective and add -ē. Translate with “most” or “very” plus “-ly.” Translate with “most” or “very” plus “-ly.” E.g., lentissimus (slowest) becomes lentissimē (most slowly). E.g., lentissimus (slowest) becomes lentissimē (most slowly). Prūdentissimus (wisest) becomes prūdentissimē (most wisely). Prūdentissimus (wisest) becomes prūdentissimē (most wisely).

More Practice This time, form the comp. and superl. adv. This time, form the comp. and superl. adv. ignāvus, -a, -um ignāvus, -a, -um ignāvius, ignāvissimē ignāvius, ignāvissimē fortis, -is, -e fortis, -is, -e fortius, fortissimē fortius, fortissimē neglegēns, neglegentis neglegēns, neglegentis neglegentius, neglegentissimē neglegentius, neglegentissimē laetus, -a, -um laetus, -a, -um laetius, laetissimē laetius, laetissimē celer, celeris, celere celer, celeris, celere celerius, celerrimē celerius, celerrimē

Enter the exceptions The same adj. that had irreg. compar. and superl. forms have irreg. pos., comp., and superl. adverbs: The same adj. that had irreg. compar. and superl. forms have irreg. pos., comp., and superl. adverbs: Pos.Comp.Superl. benemeliusoptimē malepeiuspessimē magnoperemagismaximē paulumminusminimē multumplūsplūrimum

Three more Three adverbs which are not formed from adjectives still have comp. and superl. forms: Three adverbs which are not formed from adjectives still have comp. and superl. forms: Pos.Comp.Superl. diūdiūtiusdiūtissimē saepesaepiussaepissimē sērōsēriussērissimē

In summary What’s important about forming the positive adverb? What’s important about forming the positive adverb? What’s important about forming the comparative adverb? What’s important about forming the comparative adverb? What about the superlative adverb? What about the superlative adverb? Describe the exceptions to the rule. Describe the exceptions to the rule.