How do adverbs compare?

Two ways: short adverbs take -er and -est (harder, hardest); -ly adverbs take more and most (more gently, most gently). The base word's shape picks the pattern.

What is the most common error?

Doubling up: more faster, most quickest. One tool per comparison; the sheets make the choice explicit on every line.

3rd grade comparing with adverbs

3rd grade comparing with adverbs worksheets

Third graders build comparative and superlative adverbs from a base: faster/fastest for the short ones, more quickly for the -ly ones, writing the full form on the line.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.3.1.g.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Write the comparing form of the adverb in parentheses.

Of the whole class, one eager hand goes up (often): the kid in the front row.
Fixed: Of the whole class, one eager hand goes up most often: the kid in the front row.
The early bus runs (often) than the noon one.
Of all the dogs at the park, the beagle digs (eagerly).

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 3rd grade sheet

3rd grade sheets draw from 40 sentences, 8 to a page. 3rd to 5th grade print from the same 40 sentences. The teaching notes below are written for this grade.

A few of the sentences, as the answer key corrects them:

The rooster crows earlier than the alarm clock, every single day.
The tide comes in more swiftly than a walking pace on that flat beach.
He kicks more powerfully with his left foot than with his right.

Fix it. Write the comparing form of the adverb in parentheses. 8 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Sort the base first: does it end in -ly? Then more/most is the tool. One syllable? Endings. Saying the sorting question aloud before each blank prevents the more-faster pileup.

Watch for: 'More faster' and 'neatlier' are the two classic wrecks: short adverbs take endings, -ly adverbs take more/most, and no adverb takes both. Well is irregular and precious: better, best. 'She sings gooder' is wrong twice; 'she sings better' is the target. Far goes farther, farthest for distance on these sheets. Further is standard for distance too, so it counts as right.

Common questions about 3rd grade comparing with adverbs

How do adverbs compare?: Two ways: short adverbs take -er and -est (harder, hardest); -ly adverbs take more and most (more gently, most gently). The base word's shape picks the pattern.
What is the most common error?: Doubling up: more faster, most quickest. One tool per comparison; the sheets make the choice explicit on every line.

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Aligned to Common Core L.3.1.g. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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