Comparative Adverbs with More — Exercises
Practice comparing adverbs with more and the most — more carefully, more often, more fluently — and placing much and far before more.
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He drives much ___ than he used to.
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more carefully
After 'much' you need a comparative form — 'much more carefully'.
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I exercise ___ now than I did last year.
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more often
'Often' takes 'more' for the comparative. 'Than' rules out the plain form and the superlative 'most often'.
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She speaks French much ___ than her brother does.
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more fluently
After 'much' you need a comparative — 'much more fluently'. 'Very' cannot modify a comparative.
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She explained the procedure ___ than her colleague did.
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more patiently
The word describes how she explained, so it must be an adverb — 'more patiently'. 'More patient' is the adjective form.
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Learning to drive
Learning to drive was much harder than I expected. In the first month I really struggled. My instructor told me I needed to brake {1}, indicate {2}, and check my mirrors {3} than I was doing. At first, I drove much {4} than the cars around me — about 30 km/h, while everyone else flew past at 50. That made other drivers impatient, which made me even more nervous. After a few months of practice, things improved. I now handle roundabouts {5} than I did at the start, and I get the children to school {6} too — I haven't been late once this term. My instructor says I drive {7} on quiet roads than on busy ones, which is normal at my stage. The day of the test, I drove {8} I've ever driven, and I passed first time.
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1. more smoothly — Adverbs ending in -ly take 'more' for the comparative — 'brake more smoothly'.
2. earlier — Short-form comparative of 'early' — 'indicate earlier' (= sooner before the turn).
3. more often — 'Often' takes 'more' — 'check mirrors more often'.
4. more slowly — 'Slowly' takes 'more' — 'drove much more slowly'.
5. better — Irregular comparative of 'well' — 'handle roundabouts better'.
6. faster — Short-form comparative of 'fast' — 'get to school faster' (= more quickly).
7. more confidently — Adverbs ending in -ly take 'more' — 'drive more confidently on quiet roads'.
8. the best — Irregular superlative of 'well' — 'I drove the best I've ever driven' (= better than ever).
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Learning a language
A: How's your Italian going these days?
B: Quite well, actually. I'm speaking much {1} now than I was six months ago.
A: That's great. Do you study every day?
B: Yes, although I read {2} than I speak. Speaking is still the hardest part.
A: What helped you most?
B: Watching Italian films. I watch them {3} now than I did at the start — almost every evening.
A: Does that help with vocabulary?
B: Definitely. I remember new words {4} when I see them in context.
A: Have you been to Italy?
B: Not yet. I think I'd progress {5} if I spent a few weeks there.
A: Yeah, immersion always helps.
B: My partner speaks French {6} than I speak Italian, and she only learned at school.
A: She's used to languages. You'll catch up — just keep going as {7} as you can.Show answer
1. more fluently — Adverbs ending in -ly take 'more' for the comparative — 'speaking more fluently'.
2. more easily — 'Easily' takes 'more' for the comparative — 'I read more easily than I speak'.
3. more often — 'Often' takes 'more' for the comparative — 'watch films more often'.
4. better — Irregular comparative of 'well' — 'remember words better in context'.
5. faster — Short-form comparative of 'fast' — 'progress faster' if living there.
6. more confidently — Adverbs ending in -ly take 'more' — 'she speaks French more confidently'.
7. hard — Between 'as ... as' use the base form of the adverb — 'as hard as you can'.
Comparative Adverbs with More
Adverbs ending in -ly never take -er or -est. They compare with more and the most, exactly like long adjectives, and the word being compared keeps its adverb form throughout. Two errors dominate: swapping in the adjective ('more patient' for 'more patiently'), and putting very or so where the comparative needs much or far.
More + Adverb
I exercise more often now than I did last year.
He reacted more calmly than anyone had expected.
Modifying the Comparative
The strengthener goes before more, and it has to be much, far or a lot — never very or so.
She speaks French much more fluently than her brother does.
The Most for the Superlative
The superlative takes the most, usually followed by of + the group.
Of all the students, she works the most carefully.
Common Mistakes
✗ I exercise most often now than last year. → ✓ I exercise more often now than last year.
✗ He drives very more carefully. → ✓ He drives much more carefully.
✗ She speaks French fluentlier. → ✓ She speaks French more fluently.
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