ADVERBS
An adverb describes a verb, and is often a –ly word in English. Gently, happily, etc.
Like adjectives, adverbs have regular, comparative and superlative forms (happily, more happily, most happily). As they describe verbs rather than nouns, so they do not have different cases. Happily for the learner, this means they have far fewer forms. Adverbs are formed from group 1 adjectives by the addition of an e: lentus becomes lente, pulcher becomes pulchre etc. For group 2 adjectives, you add an iter: fortis becomes fortiter, acris becomes acriter etc.
The comparative adverbs ends in –ius. You may be familiar with citius, altius, fortius, the Olympic motto. It means faster, higher, stronger. The superlatives end in –issime. Use quam to compare, as with adjectives.
There are a few irregular forms you’ll come across. Most can safely be learned gradually as you encounter them. Some crop up so often that learning them now will give you a headstart: bene (well), male (badly), multum (much), omnino (altogether, entirely), frustra (in vain), statim (at once), saepe (often), semper (always), plus (more), nimis (too much), parum (too little), diu (for a long time).
Adverbs often appear in mottos or on coats of arms: semper fidelis, the motto of the US Marine Corps, means always faithful. The crest of Everton football club, like many a Liverpudlian bicep, is inscribed with Nil satis nisi optimum : “not enough unless the best”, or “only the best is good enough”.