Printable grammar worksheet focusing on comparative and superlative adverbs for language learning.

Let’s go step by step through each sentence. We need to fill in the blank with either the comparative or superlative form of the adverb given in parentheses.

Remember:
- Comparative = used when comparing TWO things → usually ends in “-er” or uses “more/less”
- Superlative = used when comparing THREE OR MORE things → usually ends in “-est” or uses “most/least”

Also, some adverbs are irregular (like “well” → “better” → “best”).

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1. Polly worked ___ than any other actor at the gig.
→ Comparing Polly to *any other* actor → that means more than two people → so we use superlative? Wait — actually, “than any other” is a trick! It’s still a comparison between Polly and others one-by-one → so it’s comparative.
Adverb: hard → comparative = harder
✔ harder

2. Scotty can ride the ball ___ than all the other kids.
→ Again, “than all the other kids” → comparing Scotty to each of them → comparative
Adverb: fast → comparative = faster
✔ faster

3. The tree we planted last year grew ___ than our house!
→ Comparing growth of tree vs house → two things → comparative
Adverb: tall → but wait, “tall” is an adjective. The adverb is “high”? Or maybe they mean “tall” as adverb? Actually, for trees growing, we say “grew taller” — even though “taller” is technically adjective, it’s commonly accepted here. But let’s check: the word given is “(tall)” — probably meant to be used as adverb. In informal usage, “grew taller” is fine. Comparative of tall = taller
✔ taller

Wait — correction: “grow” is a verb, and we modify verbs with adverbs. “Tall” is not an adverb. The correct adverb would be “highly”? No — that doesn’t fit. Actually, in this context, “grew taller” is acceptable because “taller” describes how much it grew — it’s acting as an adverbial phrase. Many grammar sources accept this. Alternatively, maybe it should be “more rapidly”? But the prompt says “(tall)”, so we’ll go with taller.

Actually, let me double-check: if the base word is “tall”, and it’s modifying “grew”, then strictly speaking, we should use an adverb. But “tall” has no common adverb form except “highly” which doesn’t fit. This might be a mistake in the worksheet — but since it’s given as “(tall)”, and in real usage kids say “grew taller”, I’ll go with taller.

But wait — looking ahead, #4 has “loudly” → adverb. So maybe #3 is miswritten? Hmm. Let’s assume it’s okay.

Alternatively, perhaps it’s supposed to be “fast”? No, it says “(tall)”. I think we have to go with taller.

✔ taller

4. Clyde told the story the most ___ to the principal.
→ “the most ___” → that signals superlative
Adverb: loudly → superlative = most loudly
✔ loudly

5. My baby brother is the ___ I slept. He was never easier!
Wait — this sentence seems broken. “is the ___ I slept”? That doesn’t make sense. Probably typo. Maybe: “My baby brother is the ___ I’ve ever seen?” or “slept the ___”? Looking at the structure: “He was never easier!” — that suggests the blank is about how he slept? Or how easy he was?

Wait — re-read: “My baby brother is the ___ I slept. He was never easier!”

That must be a typo. Likely meant: “My baby brother slept the ___ . He was never easier!” — meaning he slept very peacefully.

And “easier” is comparative of “easy” — so the blank is likely superlative of “easily”? Because “slept” is a verb → needs adverb.

Base word: “easy” → adverb = easily → superlative = most easily

But the sentence says “is the ___ I slept” — that’s grammatically wrong. Perhaps it’s “slept the ___” — and “the” indicates superlative.

Given “He was never easier!” — that’s confusing because “easier” refers to him being easy to handle, not how he slept.

This is messy. Let me try to interpret:

Maybe: “My baby brother is the ___ [adjective] I’ve ever had. He was never easier!” — but it says “I slept”.

Another possibility: typo for “My baby brother slept the ___ . He was never easier to put to bed!” — then blank = most peacefully? But word given is “(easy)” — so adverb = easily → superlative = most easily

But “slept the most easily” sounds odd. Usually we say “slept soundly” or “peacefully”.

Perhaps the intended word is “quietly”? But it says “(easy)”.

Wait — look at the original image text: “5. My baby brother is the ___ I slept. He was never easier!”

I think there’s a missing word. Probably: “My baby brother is the ___ [thing/person] I’ve ever dealt with while I slept.” — no.

Alternative interpretation: Maybe it’s “My baby brother made the ___ night I ever slept.” — still not fitting.

Perhaps it’s “My baby brother is the ___ I’ve ever seen sleep.” — then blank = best? But word is “easy”.

I think the only logical fix is to assume it’s “slept the ___” and the word is “easily” → superlative = most easily

And “He was never easier!” might be a separate comment — meaning he was easy to handle.

So despite awkwardness, I’ll go with:

✔ most easily

But let’s see the answer format — maybe it’s “easiest”? But “easiest” is adjective, and “slept” needs adverb.

Unless they’re using “easy” as adverb informally — like “sleep easy” — but that’s idiomatic.

In standard grammar, it should be “most easily”.

I’ll stick with most easily

6. Johnny very ___ stayed on the table until I removed it.
→ “very ___” — “very” modifies adjectives or adverbs. Here, “stayed” is verb → needs adverb.
Word given: “careful” → adverb = carefully
“Very carefully” makes sense.
Is it comparative or superlative? No comparison word like “than” or “the most” — so just positive degree? But the worksheet is about comparative/superlative. Wait — the instruction says: “Fill in the blanks with the correct comparative or superlative form”

But this sentence has no comparison. Unless... “very” can intensify, but not comparative/superlative.

Look again: “Johnny very ___ stayed...” — perhaps it’s “more carefully”? But no comparison.

Wait — maybe it’s a trick. The word is “(careful)” — and we need to choose based on context. But there’s no comparison.

Perhaps it’s supposed to be “the most carefully”? But no “the most” in sentence.

Another idea: maybe “very” is part of the clue — but “very” doesn’t trigger comparative/superlative.

Let’s read the whole thing: “Johnny very ___ stayed on the table until I removed it.” — that doesn’t make sense. Johnny stayed on the table? And “very ___” — probably “very carefully” — but again, not comparative/superlative.

Unless the comparison is implied — like compared to before? But not stated.

Perhaps it’s a mistake, and it should be “Johnny ___ stayed...” without “very”, and we use comparative? But what’s the comparison?

Looking at other sentences, they have clear comparisons.

Wait — sentence 6: “Johnny very ___ stayed on the table until I removed it.” — maybe “very” is a red herring, and we need superlative because it’s the most careful he’s ever been? But not stated.

Perhaps the word is “carefully” and we leave it as is? But the task requires comparative or superlative.

Another thought: maybe “very” is meant to be “ever” — “Johnny ever ___ stayed...” — then superlative.

But it says “very”.

I think there might be a typo in the worksheet. Given that, and since “very” is there, perhaps it’s not requiring comparative/superlative — but the instructions say to use comparative or superlative.

Let’s skip and come back.

7. The fluorescent bulb was ___ than the incandescent bulb.
→ Clear comparison: two bulbs → comparative
Word: bright → adverb = brightly → comparative = more brightly
✔ more brightly

8. My project was stable since I put it together the ___ .
→ “the ___” → superlative
Word: careful → adverb = carefully → superlative = most carefully
✔ most carefully

9. Shelly was ___ than ever before for her math award!
→ “than ever before” → comparative
Word: proud → but “proud” is adjective. Adverb = proudly → comparative = more proudly
✔ more proudly

10. The remote works ___ when you point it right at the TV.
→ No explicit comparison, but implies “better than when you don’t point it right” — so comparative
Word: good → adverb = well → comparative = better
✔ better

Now back to #5 and #6.

For #5: “My baby brother is the ___ I slept. He was never easier!”

I think the only sensible fix is to assume it’s “slept the ___” and the word is “easily” → superlative = most easily

And “He was never easier!” might be a separate clause meaning he was easy to manage.

So ✔ most easily

For #6: “Johnny very ___ stayed on the table until I removed it.”

This is problematic. If we ignore “very”, and assume it’s “Johnny ___ stayed...”, and since there’s no comparison, perhaps it’s not comparative/superlative — but the task requires it.

Maybe “very” is a mistake, and it’s “Johnny ___ stayed...” and we use superlative because it’s the most careful he’s ever been? But not stated.

Another idea: perhaps “very” is meant to be “ever” — “Johnny ever ___ stayed...” — then superlative.

Or perhaps it’s “Johnny very ___ ” and we use “carefully” as is, but that’s not comparative/superlative.

Let’s look at the word: “(careful)” — adverb = carefully

If we must choose comparative or superlative, and there’s no comparison, perhaps it’s a trick, and we use positive — but the instructions say comparative or superlative.

Maybe in context, “until I removed it” implies he was being very careful, more than usual — so comparative? But no “than”.

I recall that sometimes “very” can be used with superlatives in informal speech, but not standard.

Perhaps the sentence is: “Johnny very ___ stayed...” and the blank is “carefully”, and we leave it, but that violates the rule.

Let’s check online or standard answers — but since I can’t, I’ll make a decision.

Another approach: perhaps “very” is part of the adverb phrase, and we need to use the superlative because it’s the extreme case.

But I think the most reasonable guess is that “very” is a typo, and it’s “Johnny ___ stayed...” and since he stayed until removed, implying he was very careful, perhaps superlative: most carefully

But “very most carefully” is redundant.

Perhaps it’s “Johnny ___ stayed...” and we use “carefully” as positive, but again, not allowed.

Let’s read the sentence again: “Johnny very ___ stayed on the table until I removed it.”

Perhaps “very” is modifying the blank, and the blank is an adjective, but “stayed” is verb.

I think there’s a high chance it’s a typo, and it should be “Johnny ___ stayed...” without “very”, and we use “carefully” — but since the task requires comparative/superlative, and no comparison, perhaps it’s not applicable.

But looking at sentence 4: “Clyde told the story the most ___ ” — has “the most”, so superlative.

Sentence 8: “the ___ ” — superlative.

Sentence 6 has “very”, which is not a superlative marker.

Perhaps for #6, it’s not comparative or superlative, but the worksheet might have errors.

To resolve, let’s assume that "very" is a mistake, and it's "Johnny ___ stayed...", and since there's no comparison, we use the positive form, but the instructions say to use comparative or superlative, so that won't work.

Another idea: perhaps "very" is meant to be "ever", as in "Johnny ever ___ stayed..." — then superlative: most carefully

That makes sense: "Johnny ever most carefully stayed..." — but "ever most carefully" is awkward; usually "the most carefully he had ever stayed".

But in fill-in-the-blank, "most carefully" could work.

Perhaps the blank is for "carefully", and "very" is separate, but then it's not comparative/superlative.

I found a possible solution: in some contexts, "very" can be used with comparatives for emphasis, like "very much better", but here it's "very ___", so if the blank is "more carefully", then "very more carefully" is ungrammatical.

So probably not.

Let's consider that the word "careful" might be intended to be used as "carefully", and the sentence is missing a comparison, so perhaps it's a freebie, but I doubt it.

Looking back at the user's image description, it's a worksheet, and likely #6 is "Johnny very ___ stayed..." and the answer is "carefully", but that's not comparative/superlative.

Perhaps for #6, it's not requiring comparative/superlative, but the header says "Comparative & Superlative Adverbs", so all should be.

Let's count the sentences: 1 to 10, all should have comparative or superlative.

For #6, perhaps "very" is a distractor, and we use "carefully" as is, but that's not right.

Another thought: maybe "very" is part of the adverb, and we need to use the superlative of "very" — but "very" is not the word in parentheses; the word is "(careful)".

I think I have to make a call.

Let me search my knowledge: in some worksheets, "very" can be followed by an adjective, but here it's modifying the adverb for "stayed".

Perhaps the sentence is: "Johnny very ___ " and the blank is "carefully", and we ignore the comparative/superlative requirement for this one, but that's not good.

Let's look at sentence 5 again: "My baby brother is the ___ I slept." — perhaps it's "My baby brother is the ___ [adjective] I've ever seen," and "slept" is a typo for "seen" or "had".

If "slept" is "seen", then "is the easiest I've ever seen" — but "easy" is adjective, and "is" is linking verb, so adjective is ok.

Then "He was never easier!" — consistent.

And for #6, "Johnny very ___ stayed" — if "very" is "ever", then "Johnny ever ___ stayed" — superlative.

So let's assume typos.

For #5: if "slept" is "seen", then "is the easiest I've ever seen" — but "easy" is adjective, and the topic is adverbs. Oh no — the worksheet is for adverbs, so it should be adverbs.

In #5, "is the ___ " — if it's "is the most easily", but "is" is linking verb, so it should be adjective, not adverb.

This is confusing.

Perhaps for #5, "slept" is correct, and "the ___ " is for how he slept, so adverb.

I think the best course is to go with the following:

1. harder
2. faster
3. taller (even though it's adjective, commonly used)
4. loudly
5. most easily
6. carefully — but not comparative/superlative, so perhaps "more carefully" if we assume comparison to previous behavior, but not stated. Let's say "most carefully" assuming it's the most careful he's ever been.
7. more brightly
8. most carefully
9. more proudly
10. better

For #6, I'll go with "most carefully" , assuming "very" is a typo for "ever" or something.

So final answers:

1. harder
2. faster
3. taller
4. loudly
5. most easily
6. most carefully
7. more brightly
8. most carefully
9. more proudly
10. better

But for #6, "very most carefully" is bad, so perhaps the "very" is not there, or it's "Johnny ___ stayed" and we use "carefully", but again, not comparative/superlative.

Perhaps in #6, "very" is meant to be "very" as in intensifier, and the blank is "carefully", and we don't change it, but the task requires comparative or superlative, so that won't work.

Let's notice that in sentence 4, it's "the most ___ ", so for #6, if it were "the most ___ ", it would be clear, but it's "very ___ ".

Another idea: perhaps "very" is a mistake, and it's "Johnny ___ stayed...", and the word is "careful", so adverb "carefully", and since no comparison, we use positive, but the instructions say to use comparative or superlative, so perhaps for this one, it's an exception, but unlikely.

I recall that in some cases, "very" can be used with superlatives in British English, but rare.

Perhaps the blank is for "carefully", and "very" is separate, and we leave it, but then it's not comparative/superlative.

I think for the sake of completing, I'll put "carefully" for #6, but note that it's not comparative or superlative, but perhaps the worksheet has a error.

But let's look at the answer choices or standard practice.

Upon second thought, in sentence 6, "Johnny very ___ stayed on the table" — perhaps "very" is modifying the degree, and we need to use the superlative because it's the extreme, so "most carefully", and "very" is redundant, but in fill-in-the-blank, we put "most carefully".

So I'll go with that.

Final list:

1. harder
2. faster
3. taller
4. loudly
5. most easily
6. most carefully
7. more brightly
8. most carefully
9. more proudly
10. better

For #3, "taller" is adjective, but in context, it's accepted.

For #5, "most easily" is adverb, good.

For #6, "most carefully" is adverb, good.

So I think that's the best I can do.

Final Answer:
1. harder
2. faster
3. taller
4. loudly
5. most easily
6. most carefully
7. more brightly
8. most carefully
9. more proudly
10. better