Adverbs

An adverb is a word or set of words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They help us express how, when, where, why, and to what extent actions occur or qualities exist, making our language more descriptive and precise.

Functions of Adverbs#

1. Modify Verbs: Adverbs describe how, when, where, and to what extent an action is performed.

   • Example: Sam runs quickly to catch the bus.
   • Example: They often visit their grandparents.

2. Modify Adjectives: Adverbs can intensify or change the meaning of an adjective.

   • Example: The movie was extremely interesting.
   • Example: This test is surprisingly easy.

3. Modify Other Adverbs: Adverbs can also modify other adverbs to enhance or alter their meaning.

   • Example: He runs very quickly.
   • Example: She speaks quite softly.

4. Modify Entire Sentences: Some adverbs can modify the meaning of an entire sentence.

   • Example: Unfortunately, we missed the train.
   • Example: Honestly, I don’t know the answer.

Types of Adverbs#

1. Adverbs of Manner#

These describe how something happens or how an action is performed. Learn more about adverbs of manner.

• Examples: slowly, quickly, happily, carefully, well, hard
• Usage: She examined the document carefully.
• Position: Usually after the verb or at the end of the clause

2. Adverbs of Time#

These indicate when something happens or for how long it lasts. Learn more about adverbs of time.

• Examples: now, soon, already, yesterday, today, temporarily, forever
• Usage: We’ll leave for the airport tomorrow.
• Position: Usually at the end of a sentence or at the beginning for emphasis

3. Adverbs of Place#

These indicate where an action occurs by describing its location, direction, or movement in space. Learn more about adverbs of place.

• Examples: here, there, everywhere, nearby, inside, outside, upward, downward
• Usage: Your keys are somewhere in the house.
• Position: Usually after the verb or at the end of a clause

4. Adverbs of Frequency#

These indicate how often something happens. Learn more about adverbs of frequency.

• Examples: always, never, often, rarely, sometimes, usually, occasionally
• Usage: She always arrives on time.
• Position: Usually before the main verb, after auxiliary verbs, or after the verb “to be”

5. Adverbs of Degree#

These indicate the intensity or extent of an action, adjective, or another adverb. Learn more about adverbs of degree.

• Examples: very, quite, almost, too, enough, entirely, extremely
• Usage: The soup is extremely hot.
• Position: Usually before adjectives and other adverbs, or before the main verb

6. Adverbs of Reason#

These explain why something happens or exists. Learn more about adverbs of reason.

• Examples: therefore, consequently, hence, thus, so, because, since
• Usage: Therefore, we decided to cancel the event.
• Position: Often at the beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma), between clauses, or at the end

Position in Sentences#

Adverbs can appear in different positions within a sentence, depending on their type and the emphasis desired:

1. Front Position (Beginning of sentence):

   • Fortunately, we arrived on time.
   • Yesterday, I met an old friend.

2. Mid Position (Between subject and main verb, or after first auxiliary verb):

   • I usually drink coffee in the morning.
   • She has always wanted to travel.

3. End Position (At the end of the sentence):

   • They work efficiently.
   • The children played outside.

Formation of Adverbs#

There are several ways to form adverbs from adjectives:

1. By Adding -ly: This is the most common way to form adverbs from adjectives.

   • quick → quickly
   • careful → carefully
   • quiet → quietly

   Exception: When a word ends in “full”, drop one ’l':

   • full → fully (not fullly)

2. Words Ending in -le: For adjectives ending in -le, replace the ’e’ with ‘y’.

   • simple → simply
   • gentle → gently
   • probable → probably

3. Words Ending in -y: When the adjective ends in -y, change it to ‘i’ before adding -ly.

   • happy → happily
   • easy → easily
   • lazy → lazily

4. Words Ending in -ic: Adjectives ending in -ic need ‘ally’ rather than just ’ly’.

   • basic → basically
   • tragic → tragically
   • scientific → scientifically

   Exception: The word “public”:

   • public → publicly (not publically)

5. Words That Stay the Same: Some words function as both adjectives and adverbs without any change.

   • fast → fast
   • hard → hard
   • late → late
   • early → early
   • daily → daily

6. Irregular Forms: These adverbs don’t follow regular patterns and must be memorized.

   • good → well
   • bad → badly
   • true → truly
   • whole → wholly

7. Adding -ward(s): These directional adverbs can be formed by adding either -ward or -wards.

   • forward/forwards
   • backward/backwards
   • upward/upwards
   • downward/downwards

Important Notes:#

1. The adverb of “ good” is “ well” (not goodly):

   • Sarah is a good cook who prepares her meals well. (good → cook (the noun), well → prepares (the verb))

2. “ Hardly” is not the adverbial form of “ hard”:

   • The adverb of “hard” is “hard” itself (meaning “ with great effort”)
   • “Hardly” means “ almost not”

   Examples:

   • He worked hard (with great effort) to finish the project.
   • I hardly (almost didn’t) slept last night.

Comparative and Superlative Forms#

Adverbs, like adjectives, can have comparative and superlative forms to show different degrees of comparison.

Formation Rules:#

1. Short Adverbs (follow the same rules as adjectives):

   • fast → faster → fastest
   • hard → harder → hardest
   • early → earlier → earliest

2. Adverbs Ending in -ly:

   • Add “more” for comparative and “most” for superlative
   • carefully → more carefully → most carefully
   • quickly → more quickly → most quickly
   • efficiently → more efficiently → most efficiently

3. Irregular Forms: Some adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms:

   • well → better → best
   • badly → worse → worst
   • little → less → least
   • much → more → most
   • far → farther/further → farthest/furthest

Examples in Use:#

1. Simple Comparison:

   • John runs faster than Mike.
   • Sarah works more efficiently than Tom.

2. Superlative Usage:

   • Among all students, Lisa works the hardest.
   • He performed most impressively in the competition.

3. Irregular Forms in Context:

   • She sings well, but her sister sings better.
   • Things are going badly, but they could go worse.

Practice Exercise#

Complete the sentences with appropriate adverbs:#

1. She _____ (careful) checked all the answers before submitting the test.
2. The team played _____ (good) despite the bad weather.
3. I _____ (frequent) visit my grandparents on weekends.
4. The child _____ (quiet) entered the room where the baby was sleeping.
5. He speaks English _____ (fluent) after living in London for ten years.
6. We were _____ (complete) surprised by the unexpected gift.
7. The solution seemed _____ (obvious) wrong to everyone.
8. They arrived _____ (late) because of the traffic jam.