ADVERBS

An adverb is a word that describes an action verb, modifies an adjective or another adverb. Examples:

Adverbs modify verbs: John eats quickly (how). I walked there (where). Kate will eat soon (when).

Adverbs modify adjectives: Susan is very happy (to what extent?). The program was too unrealistic (to what extent?). Adverbs that do this are: very, extremely, really, totally, absolutely, quite, fairly, well. These are normally placed before the adjective. Example: He is totally crazy.

Adverbs modify other adverbs: Warren walks too quickly (how quickly?) He moved rather recently (how recently?)

An adverb tells us how an action happens, how often, where, when and to what extent. Examples: slowly, very, always, well, here, now, tomorrow, too, etc. Sentence: I always drive carefully. 

Today we must complete the project. (Must complete the project when?)

Mitch approached the intersection cautiously. (Approached how?)

He seems especially competent. (How competent?)

Did you see the schedule there? (Where?)

The prosecutor did not question him further. (Questioned him to what extent?)

When is a word an adverb, and when is it an adjective? Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. Adverbs do not. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adjectives do not. Example: 

Helen has a yearly membership at the gym. (Yearly is an adjective since it modifies the noun membership and tells which membership.)

Helen contributes yearly. (Yearly is an adverb since it modifies the verb contributes and answers the question, When does Helen contribute?)

To create regular adverbs we normally add 'ly' to the end of an adjective. Example: quick/ quickly…

For adjectives that end in -l or -e, we simply add –ly. Examples: special/ specially, polite/ politely…There are of course some exceptions: true/ truly, whole/ wholly, due/ duly, full/ fully, technical/ technically…

Adjectives ending in –y, change to –ily. Examples: angry/ angrily, easy/ easily, happy/ happily, crazy/ crazily…

Adjectives ending in –le, drop the –e and add –y. example: terrible/ terribly, horrible/ horribly…

If the adjective ends in -ic, we add –ally. Examples: ironic/ ironically, enthusiastic/ enthusiastically, realistic/ realistically … Except: public/ publicly.

Many, but not all, words ending in ly are adverbs. Some exceptions are friendly, costly, and ugly, all of which are adjectives. Here are some common adverbs that do not end in - ly:

Common irregular adverb: good/ well. Good is an adjective and well is an adverb. Examples: This is a good book. I read well.  

The adjectives / adverbs that take the same form include: fast, hard, early, late, high, low, right, wrong, straight and long. Examples: Adam has a fast car. (Adjective)/ Adam speaks fast. (Adverb) 

Types of adverbs:

Adverbs of manner (carefully, slowly, loudly…) tell how or in what manner the action is done.  Examples: They read silently. She works hard.

An adverb of place (here, there, above, everywhere…) tells where an action happens. Examples:  In spring, flowers bloom everywhere. Can you wait here please? 

An adverb of time (tomorrow, now, this year, next week, soon, then…) tells when an action happens. Examples: We will go shopping tomorrow. See you soon! She woke up early yesterday.

An adverb of frequency (always, sometimes, never, once a week, hourly, etc.) tells how often an action is done. Examples: I brush my teeth twice a day. He cleans his room every day.  We always go to school by car.

Adverbs of degree (very, extremely, rather, almost, nearly, too, quite…) help us to show the intensity in which a specific action is done. They answer the question to what extent? Examples: I’m very tired. She has almost finished the project.  We were completely honest with you.  He is quite good student.   

Adverbs of quantity (a few, a lot, much) answer the question how much. Examples: There are a few apples in the basket. I don’t have much money. I have a lot of money.

Interrogative adverbs ask questions. Examples: How was your trip? Where do you take the bus? Why are you happy?

Adverbs of comment or attitude (fortunately, apparently, clearly…) provide an opinion or viewpoint on a situation. Examples: Obviously, you are acting wrong. I’d personally rather go by train. Happily, we could get home safe.

 
Adverbs are usually placed after the verb. Example: He speaks clearly.

When there is an object, the adverb is usually placed after the verb + object. Example: I put the vase carefully on the table.

However, adverbs are never positioned between the verb and the object. Examples: I read the book quickly. (Correct)/ I read quickly the book. (Incorrect)

Sometimes adverbs are placed at the beginning of a clause. Example: Quickly, I changed my opinion.

There are exceptions these rules such as Adverbs of indefinite frequency that go before the verb.

 Can you write some sentences using the types of adverbs learnt in this topic?