Χαίρετε!
In Dr. Mastronarde’s work dealing with comparison of adverbs in chapter 31 on page 267, he writes, “The comparative degree of an adverb is supplied
by the neuter singular accusative of the comparative adjective. . .” Of course the neuter plural accusative is used for a plural.
At first I thought that meant 1. Determine the original adjective from the adverb, 2. find the neuter form, and 3. Place an ending at the end of it.
But then I came across irregular comparisons such as ῥᾷον. The neuter accusative form of the adjective is ῥᾴδῐον, so it is not simply adding an ending to the neuter form of the adjective.
That plus different endings are used, so now I am wondering if it means to find the comparative form of an adjective from an adjective table and place that form in accusative singular or plural. How do the posters in this forum do it?
But you want to start from the comparative adjective, ῥᾴων, ῥᾴον
Adverbs don’t have plural or singular forms. I don’t know what Mastronarde says, but I assume that it’s something like: “the superlative of the adverb is the same as the neuter plural of the superlative adjective”
Yes it’s best to start from the adjective, and some comparative adjectives are not altogether predictable, so they’re best learnt separately. ῥᾴων, comparative of ῥᾴδιος, is an example. But once you know the comparative adjective then you can form the comparative adverb (and vice versa), and often the superlative adverb too.
Comparative adverbs end in -ον (e.g. ῥᾷον “more easily”), so they look singular, although adverbs are neither singular nor plural, they’re just adverbs. Superlative adverbs end in -α, e.g. ῥᾷστα “most easily,” so they look plural—they coincide in form with the superlative neut.pl. adjective. It’s tricky. But always remember: adjectives decline, adverbs don’t.