Three Degrees of Comparison: Positive, Comparative and Superlative

The Russian language boasts three degrees of comparison for adverbs:

• Positive degree: denotes the basic quality, such as быстро (quickly)
• Comparative degree: indicates that the quality is greater than another, for example, быстрее (faster)
• Superlative degree: signifies the highest possible level of a given quality, like самый быстрый (the fastest)

In this article, we will primarily focus on the comparative degree of adverbs, outlining the rules to remember when forming them.

Methods of Forming Adverb Comparative Degree

There are two primary methods of forming the comparative degree of adverbs in Russian grammar: morphological and syntactic.

Morphological Comparatives

Morphological comparatives are derived from the positive degree of adverbs through the addition of specific suffixes. The most common suffixes for deriving morphological comparatives include:

• -ее, for example, быстро – быстрее (quickly – faster)
• -лее, as in ясно – яснее (clearly – more clearly)
• -ше, like громко – громче (loudly – louder)

It is essential to note that certain adverbs possess irregular forms or undergo phonetic changes when forming comparatives, such as хорошо (well) – лучше (better) and мало (little) – меньше (less).

Syntactic Comparatives

Syntactic comparative forms utilize the words “более” (more) or “менее” (less), followed by the positive adverb form. This method is often employed when forming comparatives from adverbs with multiple syllables, like:

• более важно (more importantly)
• менее тяжело (less heavily)

While syntactic comparatives are generally considered more flexible, it is crucial to ensure that the chosen method aligns with the specific sentence or context in which the adverb is used.

Pitfalls to Avoid and Tricks to Remember

When working with adverb comparative forms in Russian grammar, it is crucial to be aware of certain pitfalls and challenges.

1. Always keep in mind that some adverbs may require phonetic changes or possess irregular comparative forms.
2. Remember that not all adverbs can have a comparative form. For example, завтра (tomorrow) cannot be modified to express a degree.
3. Take care to use the appropriate method of forming comparatives, whether it be morphological or syntactic, based on the specific adverb and context.

By being mindful of these potential pitfalls and internalizing the principles outlined in this article, you will undoubtedly achieve proficiency in forming adverb comparative forms in Russian grammar.