greaterly

Greaterly is a rarely attested adverb in English. It appears to be a nonstandard or archaic coinage formed by adding the suffix -ly to the comparative adjective greater. In contemporary usage, greater is used as a comparative adjective (as in greater number or greater risk), and its adverbial forms are generally greatly or more greatly. Because greaterly is not listed in major dictionaries, it is not considered standard and is typically avoided in formal writing.

Usage notes and alternatives: When expressing degree or extent, the standard choices are greatly or more greatly, or stylistically, to a greater extent. For example, modern, standard phrasing would be: The impact was more greatly felt over time, or The impact increased to a greater extent over time. In everyday language, one would usually say The impact was felt more strongly or The impact increased to a greater extent.

Etymology and status: Greaterly would be formed by attaching -ly to the adjective greater, following a common but irregular English pattern for turning adjectives into adverbs. However, this formation is not productive in current English usage, and the word is regarded as nonstandard or historical rather than a living part of the language.

See also: greatly, more greatly, to a greater extent, greater, adverb formation.