Adverbial phrases
Adverbial phrases of manner, place and time are often formed with a preposition + noun: in a hurry, in the garden, at the station Other examples of adverbial phrases: again and again (frequency); hardly at all (degree); very much indeed (intensifying); as a matter of fact (viewpoint); in that case (connective).
Adverb particles
Certain words, such as in, off, up, function either as prepositions or as
adverb particles [> 8.4], When such words are followed by an object,
they function as prepositions; when there is no object, they are adverb
particles:
preposition:The children are in the house
adverb:The children have just gone in
The comparison of adverbs
Form of comparison of adverbs
Only gradableadverbs [compare > 6.5] can have comparative and superlative forms Comparison is not possible with adverbs such as daily, extremely only really, then there, uniquely, because they are not gradable. Gradable adverbs form comparatives and superlatives as follows:
Adverb comparative superlative
1 Same form as adjective: fast faster fastest
2 -ly adverbs of manner: easily more easily most easily
3 Some adverbs of frequency, rarely more rarely most rarely
4 Exceptions: badly worse worst
far farther farthest
further furthest
late later last
little less least
much more most
we// better best
7.5 Notes on the comparison of adverbs[compare 6.22-26]
1 Many adverbs like early, fast, etc. [> App 14] form their comparatives and superlatives in the same way as shorter adjectives (e.g. earlier earliest).
2 As most adverbs of manner have two or more syllables, they form their comparatives and superlatives with more/less and most/least Other examples: more-'less/most'least briefly clearly guickly.
Adverbs