comparisms

[valtango]

Can you explain the difference between comparisms and comparisms of adverbs??
Slow, slower, slowest.. comparism
Slowly, more slowly.. comparism of adverbs
If the second are adverbs what are the first?

 

[Tdol]

The first are adjectives. Some use 'slower' as the comparative of the adverb as well. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

adverbs & adjectives--comparisons

adjectives

• The A train was a slow train.
  The B train was slower than the A train.
  The C train was the slowest of them all.

As an adjective, slow modifies the noun and not the verb. In the above sentences, slow modifies train.

adverbs

• The train moved slowly.
  The train moved slower as it approached the grade.

• The A train moved slowly.
  The B train moved slower than the A train.
  Of the three trains, the C train moved the slowest.

As an adverb, slow modifies the verb and not the noun. In the above sentences, slow modifies move.

 

[valtango]

reply

In the book I am using "streamline english connections" under comparism of adverbs they use slowly then more slowly. An example given: "hey both walk slowly. Mr. Kent always has to wait for his wife at the top of the hill, because Mrs. Kent walks more slowly than Mr. Kent." I personally would use: "beacause Mrs. Kent walks slower than Mr. Kent." But it seems that is incorrect!!

 

[RonBee]

Both slower and more slowly are acceptable, but I think most AE speakers would use slower. It (slower) is less cumbersome.

Typical AE: Bill walks slower than Bob.

The use of slower as a comparative adverb is definitely not incorrect.

 

[valtango]

thankyou

Thankyou so much.