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Adverbs add information about verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or whole sentences.
An adverb can show how, where, when, how often, how much, or how certain something is. Many adverbs end in -ly, but not all of them do.
The adverb tells us how she spoke.
The adverb tells us where they waited.
The adverb tells us how often he studies.
The adverb makes the adjective stronger.
Kinds
Adverbs answer different questions.
quickly, well, carefully
here, there, away, outside
now, soon, today, later
always, often, never, twice
certainly, luckily, perhaps
very, too, quite, almost
Form
Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives.
Some words ending in -ly, such as friendly, likely, and lonely, are usually adjectives. Use a phrase like in a friendly way when you need an adverb meaning.
Same form
Some words can be both adjectives and adverbs without changing form.
Fast describes how the train went.
Fast describes the noun train.
Hardly does not mean hard. It means almost not.
Lately means recently.
Highly is usually abstract: highly successful.
Rightly means correctly or justly.
Comparison
Adverbs can have comparative and superlative forms.
carefully -> more carefully -> most carefully
hard -> harder -> hardest, early -> earlier -> earliest
best
worst
least
most
farthest / furthest
Position
Adverb position changes with the kind of adverb.
Time and frequency
Frequency adverbs usually sit near the main verb.
He is always on time. They are never late.
She often reads. We rarely watch TV.
You have often been told. He can never understand.
Still shows continuation. Yet usually means up to now in questions or negatives.
Sentence and degree
Sentence adverbs comment on the whole sentence. Degree adverbs modify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs.
Sentence adverbs
Luckily, nobody was hurt. Perhaps she is right. Certainly, we can help.
Degree adverbs
very useful, too fast, almost ready, hardly any time, big enough
Enough usually comes after the adjective or adverb: old enough, quickly enough. Only and just should be near the word they limit.
Self-assessment
Before the adverb exercises, check these skills.
- I can identify adverbs of manner, place, time, frequency, sentence, and degree.
- I can form regular and spelling-change -ly adverbs.
- I can choose between hard and hardly, late and lately, and good and well.
- I can compare adverbs with more, most, -er, and irregular forms.
- I can place adverbs naturally in a sentence.
Quick check
Check yourself before the adverb worksheet tasks.
Which sentence uses an adverb of manner?
She answered politely. Politely tells us how she answered.
Which is correct: good or well?
She speaks English well. Well is the adverb form of good.
Where does enough go?
After the adjective or adverb: old enough, quickly enough.