The comparative and superlative of adverbs is just one small step from the adjectives: we’ll begin with the comparative adverb.
Whatever the comparative form of the adjective is, it will
be the neuter that is used as the comparative adverb:
[i] laetus, -a, -um: happy
> comparative adjective: laetior [masculine / feminine] │
laetius [neuter]: happier
> comparative adverb laetius: more happily
[ii] comparative adjective: pulchrior [masc. / fem.] │
pulchrius [neut.]: more beautiful
> comparative adverb: pulchrius: more beautifully
Ancilla pulchrius cantabat. │The maidservant was singing more
beautifully.
Even if the comparative has an irregular form, it will still
be the neuter that is used:
[iii] comparative adjective: melior [masc. / fem.] │ melius
[neut.]: better
> comparative adverbs: melius: better
As with the comparative of adjectives – if no obvious
comparison is being made – the translation of the comparative adverb could be
“rather beautifully” or “too quickly”.
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