Grammar 5: Comparing Actions – Adverb Comparison & Adjectives vs Adverbs

Lesson 5: Comparing Actions – Adverb Comparison & Adjectives vs Adverbs

Lesson Objectives

• Learn how to form comparative and superlative adverbs in Swedish.
• Understand the difference between adjectives and adverbs.
• Practice identifying and using them correctly in conversation.

PART 1: Comparing Adverbs

Adverbs describe how something is done, and just like adjectives, they can have comparative (more) and superlative (most) forms.

Formation Rules:

Positive	Comparative	Superlative	English Example
snabbt	snabbare	snabbast	fast – faster – fastest
långsamt	långsammare	långsammast	slowly – slower – slowest
bra	bättre	bäst	well – better – best
dåligt	sämre	sämst	badly – worse – worst
mycket	mer	mest	much – more – most

 Examples in Sentences:

1. Han springer snabbt, men hon springer snabbare.

(He runs fast, but she runs faster.)

2. Lisa sjunger bra, men Anna sjunger bättre.

(Lisa sings well, but Anna sings better.)

3. Vi arbetar mycket, men de arbetar mest.

(We work a lot, but they work the most.)

PART 2: Adjectives vs. Adverbs

Adjective	Adverb
Describes a noun	Describes a verb/adjective/another adverb
Follows en/ett words	Follows verbs
Changes form by gender	Often ends in -t or stays the same

Common Confusion

Swedish	Type	English
snabb	adjective	a fast car (en snabb bil)
snabbt	adverb	run fast (springa snabbt)

Examples:

• Det är en snabb hund. (adjective – fast dog)
• Hunden springer snabbt. (adverb – runs fast)
• Hon är en bra lärare. (adjective – a good teacher)
• Hon undervisar bra. (adverb – teaches well)

Practice: Identify & Translate

1. He drives better than I do.
2. This restaurant is the worst.
3. She speaks slowly but clearly.
4. My sister runs the fastest.
5. You did that well.

✅ Answers:

1. Han kör bättre än jag.
2. Den här restaurangen är sämst.
3. Hon talar långsamt men tydligt.
4. Min syster springer snabbast. 
5. Du gjorde det bra.