Adverbs are used to modify a verb.
(She sings beautifully), an adjective (She is very beautiful.), or another adverb (The car goes very fast).
Time, place, frequency, degree and manner adverbs (early, there, often, slowly) describe how, when, where, and how often something is done.
Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective (slow - slowly, quick - quickly).
Adverbs, like adjectives, have three degrees of comparison – the positive, the comparative and the superlative.
Comparative adverbs compare how two actions are done. Superlative adverbs compare how more than two actions are done. Some comparisons are regular, that is:
a. The comparative degree of single-syllable adverb is formed by adding -er ending, and the superlative degree by adding -est ending to the positive form of the adverb (hard - harder - hardest).
b. The comparative degree of multi-syllable adverbs is formed by adding the word more, and the superlative degree is formed by adding the word most to the positive form of the adverb.
Adverbs ending in –ly take more for the comparative and most for the superlative degree (effectively - more effectively - most effectively).
The adverb early is an exception to this rule. (early - earlier - earliest)
Some comparisons are irregular, so you have to memorize them (see the table below).
a. Also is used in positive sentences after the verb to be and modal verbs.
Adverbs also and too have the same meaning but are used differently.
I was also there. I can also speak French.
b. Also is used before all other verbs.
Too is used at the end of positive sentences.
I love chocolate. I also love pizza.
I love chocolate. I love pizza too.
Far and a long way both describe something at a great distance.
Far is used mostly in questions and negatives.
I can’t see very far without my glasses on.
A long way is used mostly in affirmative statements.
San Francisco is a long way from New York.