Understanding grammar in English often involves learning how words change form to express comparisons, and one interesting example is the adverb skilfully. Many learners wonder what the comparative degree of skilfully is and how it should be used correctly in sentences. Since skilfully is an adverb, its comparative form follows a specific grammatical pattern rather than a simple addition of suffixes. In everyday communication, especially in writing and speaking, using comparative forms correctly helps express differences in performance, ability, or manner. The comparative degree of skilfully is commonly expressed as more skilfully, and it is used when comparing how two actions are performed with skill or expertise.
Understanding the Word Skilfully
The word skilfully is an adverb that describes how an action is performed. It comes from the adjective skilful, which means having or showing skill. When we add -ly to the adjective, it becomes an adverb that explains the manner of doing something.
For example
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She played the piano skilfully.
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The chef prepared the dish skilfully.
In both examples, skilfully describes how the action is done, not the action itself. It answers the question how?
What Is a Comparative Degree?
The comparative degree is a grammatical form used to compare two people, things, or actions. In English, comparatives show a difference in degree, quality, or manner.
For adjectives, we often add -er or use more depending on the word. For adverbs like skilfully, we usually use more before the adverb to form the comparative.
For example
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She worked more carefully than her colleague.
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He spoke more clearly during the presentation.
The same rule applies to skilfully.
Comparative Degree of Skilfully
The comparative degree of skilfully is more skilfully. It is used to compare how two actions are performed with skill.
For example
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She solved the problem more skilfully than her teammate.
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The experienced player handled the ball more skilfully than the beginner.
In these sentences, more skilfully shows that one action is performed with a higher level of skill compared to another.
Why We Use More Skilfully Instead of Skilfullier
Some learners may mistakenly think that the comparative form of skilfully is skilfullier, but this is incorrect. In English grammar, most adverbs ending in -ly do not form comparatives by changing the ending.
Instead, we use more before the adverb.
This rule applies to many adverbs, such as
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carefully → more carefully
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quickly → more quickly
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beautifully → more beautifully
Therefore, skilfully follows the same pattern and becomes more skilfully.
How to Use More Skilfully in Sentences
Using more skilfully correctly requires understanding how comparisons work in context. The structure usually involves comparing two subjects or actions.
Basic Sentence Structure
The typical structure is
Subject + verb + more skilfully + than + comparison
Examples
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The artist painted more skilfully than the student.
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She handled the negotiation more skilfully than expected.
Everyday Usage Examples
Here are some more natural examples of how more skilfully is used in daily English
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The dancer performed more skilfully in the final round.
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He managed the project more skilfully after gaining experience.
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The driver navigated the road more skilfully in difficult weather.
These examples show how the comparative form helps highlight improvement or superiority in performance.
Difference Between Skilfully and More Skilfully
The main difference between skilfully and more skilfully lies in comparison.
Skilfully describes how one action is performed without comparing it to another. It simply explains the manner of doing something.
For example
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She played the violin skilfully.
On the other hand, more skilfully compares two actions or people.
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She played the violin more skilfully than her classmate.
This difference is important for clear communication in English.
Superlative Form of Skilfully
In addition to the comparative form, it is also helpful to understand the superlative form of skilfully. The superlative form is used when comparing more than two actions or people.
The superlative form of skilfully is most skilfully.
For example
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She performed most skilfully among all the contestants.
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The champion played the game most skilfully of all.
While the comparative compares two, the superlative compares three or more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using skilfully in comparative form, learners often make some common mistakes. Being aware of these can help improve accuracy.
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Incorrect She played skilfullier than him.
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Correct She played more skilfully than him.
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Incorrect He worked skilfullier on the project.
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Correct He worked more skilfully on the project.
Remembering the more + adverb rule helps avoid these errors.
Why Comparative Forms Matter in English
Using comparative forms like more skilfully is important because it allows speakers and writers to express differences clearly. Without comparatives, it would be difficult to show improvement, superiority, or variation in actions.
For example, instead of simply saying two people are skilled, we can show who performs better and how
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He plays skilfully.
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She plays more skilfully than him.
This makes communication more precise and meaningful.
The comparative degree of skilfully is more skilfully, and it is used to compare how two actions are performed with skill. Since skilfully is an adverb ending in -ly, it follows the standard English rule of using more instead of changing the word itself.
Understanding how to use more skilfully correctly helps improve both writing and speaking skills in English. It allows learners to express comparisons clearly and accurately, making communication more effective and natural.
By mastering comparative forms like this, learners can gain greater confidence in using English grammar in everyday situations, academic writing, and professional communication.