English Grammar-Adverbs

FORMING ADVERBS FROM ADJECTIVES

In most cases, an adverb is formed by adding -ly to an adjective Adjective Adverb cheap cheaply quick quickly slow slowly If the adjective ends in -y, replace the y with i and add -ly Adjective Adverb easy easily angry angrily happy happily lucky luckily If the adjective ends in -able, -ible, or -le, replace the -e with -y. Adjective Adverb probable probably terrible terribly gentle gently If the adjective ends in -ic, add -ally. Exception: public -> publicly Adjective Adverb basic basically tragic tragically economic economically Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective: early, fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, & wrong EXAMPLES It is a fast car. He drives very fast. This is a hard exercise. He works hard. We saw many high buildings. The bird flew high in the sky. Well is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective good. EXAMPLES He is a good student. He studies well. She is a good pianist. She plays the piano well. They are good swimmers. They swim well.

INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS

The interrogative adverbs why, where, how, & when are placed at the beginning of a question. These questions can be answered with a sentence or a prepositional phrase. After an interrogative adverb in a question, you must invert the subject and verb so that the verb comes first. EXAMPLES Why are you so late? There was a lot of traffic. Where is my passport? In the drawer. How are you? I'm fine. When does the train arrive? At 11:15. USES OF HOW How can be used to form questions in four different ways. How can be used by itself to mean "in what way". EXAMPLES How did you make this sauce? How do you start the car? How can I get to your house? How can be used with adjectives to ask about the degree of an attribute. EXAMPLES How tall are you? How old is your house? How angry is mother? How can be used with much and many to ask about quantity. Much is used with uncountable nouns and many is used with countable nouns. EXAMPLES How many people are coming to the party? How much flour do I need? How much are these tomatoes? How can be used with other adverbs to ask about the frequency or degree of an action. EXAMPLES How quickly can you read this? How often do you go to London? How loudly does your brother scream?

RELATIVE ADVERBS

The relative adverbs where, when & why can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which used to introduce a relative clause. 1.Formal structure, preposition + which 2.More common stucture using a relative adverb 1.That's the restaurant in which we met for the first time. 2.That's the restaurant where we met for the first time. 1.That picture was taken in the park at which I used to play. 2.That picture was taken in the park where I used to play. 1.I remember the day on which we first met. 2.I remember the day when we first met. 1.There was a very hot summer the year in which he was born. 2.There was a very hot summer the year when he was born. 1.Tell me the reason for which you came home late. 2.Tell me (the reason) why you came home late. 1.Do you want to know the reason for which he is angry with Sally? 2.Do you want to know (the reason) why he is angry with Sally?

VIEWPOINT AND COMMENTING ADVERBS

There are some adverbs and adverbial expressions which tell us about the speaker's viewpoint or opinion about an action, or make some comment on the action. These adverbs are different from other adverbs because they do not tell us how an action occurred. Commenting and viewpoint adverbs modify entire clauses rather than single verbs, adverbs, or adjectives. There is no real distinction between commenting adverbs and viewpoint adverbs, except in their sentence placement. Many adverbs that can be used as viewpoint adverbs can also be used as commenting adverbs. However, in some cases, an adverb is far more common as one or the other. SENTENCE PLACEMENT Viewpoint adverbs are placed at the beginning, or more rarely, at the end of the sentence. They are usually separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Commenting adverbs are placed before the main verb unless the verb "to be" is used, in which case placement can be either before or after the verb. In some cases, commenting adverbs placed before the main verb will also be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas, although in most cases they will not be. In the examples below, viewpoint and commenting adverbs are shown in the correct sentence placements. When a sentence placement is unusual, stilted, or too formal for spoken language, it is marked with an asterisk. 1.Viewpoint or commenting adverb 2.At the start of a sentence 3.Before the main verb 4.At the end of a sentence 1.clearly 2.Clearly, he doesn't know what he is doing. 3.He clearly doesn't know what he is doing. 4.He doesn't know what he is doing, clearly. 1.obviously 2.Obviously, you are acting silly. 3.You are obviously acting silly 4.You are acting silly, obviously. 1.personally 2.Personally, I'd rather go by train. 3.I'd personally rather go by train. 4.I'd rather go by train, personally. 1.presumably 2.Presumably, he didn't have time to go to the post office. 3.He presumably didn't have time to go to the post office. 4.He didn't have time to go to the post office, presumably. 1.seriously 2.Seriously, I can't give this speech. 3.I seriously can't give this speech. 4.I can't give this speech, seriously. 1.surely 2.Surely you tried to get here on time. 3.You surely tried to get here on time. 4.You tried to get here on time, surely. 1.technically 2.Technically, we cannot fly to Mars and back. 3.We technically cannot fly to Mars and back. 4.We cannot fly to Mars and back, technically. 1.undoubtedly 2.Undoubtedly, he has a good reason not to come. 3.He undoubtedly has a good reason not to come. 4.He has a good reason not to come, undoubtedly. 1.bravely 2.Bravely, I kept on walking. 3.I bravely kept on walking. 4.*I kept on walking, bravely. 1.carelessly 2.Carelessly, she threw her book into the pond. 3.She carelessly threw her book into the pond. 4.*She threw her book into the pond, carelessly. 1.certainly 2.Certainly you should be there. 3.You certainly should be there. / You should certainly be there. 4.You should be there, certainly. 1.cleverly 2.Cleverly, Sally hid the jellybeans. 3.Sally cleverly hid the jellybeans. 4.*Sally hid the jellybeans, cleverly. 1.definitely 2.*Definitely, you are smart. 3.You defintely are smart. / You are definitely smart. 4.*You are smart, definitely. 1.foolishly 2.Foolishly, they cried out. 3.They foolishly cried out. 4.They cried out, foolishly. 1.generously 2.Generously, he donated the money. 3.He generously donated the money. 4.*He donated the money, generously. 1.stupidly 2.Stupidly, they played in the street. 3.They stupidly played in the street. 4.*They played in the street, stupidly. 1.obviously 2.Obviously, we are lost. 3.We are obviously lost. / *We obviously are lost. 4.We are lost, obviously. 1.kindly 2.Kindly, she fed the cat first. 3.She kindly fed the cat first. 4.She fed the cat first, kindly. 1.luckily 2.Luckily, you got here on time. 3.You luckily got here on time. 4.You got here on time, luckily. 1.fortunately 2.Fortunately, we found the boat. 3.We fortunately found the boat. 4.We found the boat, fortunately. 1.naturally 2.Naturally, you cannot be in the circus now. 3.You naturally cannot be in the circus now. 4.You cannot be in the circus now, naturally. 1.wisely 2.Wisely, she stayed home to take a nap. 3.She wisely stayed home to take a nap. 4.She stayed home to take a nap, wisely. 1.confidentially 2.Confidentially, I never gave him the envelope. 3.- 4.I never gave him the envelope, confidentially. 1.theoretically 2.Theoretically, we could send astronauts to Mars. 3.We could theoretically send astronauts to Mars. / We theoretically could send astronauts to Mars. 4.We could send astronauts to Mars, theoretically. 1.truthfully 2.Truthfully, I don't like chocolate much. 3.I truthfully don't like chocolate much. 4.I don't like chocolate much, truthfully. 1.disappointingly 2.Disappointingly, she got fourth place. 3.She disappointingly got fourth place. 4.She got fourth place, disappointingly. 1.thoughtfully 2.Thoughtfully, I turned away. 3.I thoughtfully turned away. 4.I turned away, thoughtfully. 1.simply 2.*Simply, I don't want to come. 3.I simply don't want to come. 4.- 1.unbelievably 2.Unbelievably, she showed up late again. 3.She unbelievably showed up late again. 4.She showed up late again, unbelievably. 1.unfortunately 2.Unfortunately, there is no more room. 3.There is unfortunately no more room. / There unfortunately is no more room. 4.There is no more room, unfortunately.

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE ADVERBS

With adverbs ending in -ly, you must use more to form the comparative, and most to form the superlative. Adverb Comparative Superlative quietly more quietly most quietly slowly more slowly most slowly seriously more seriously most seriously EXAMPLES The teacher spoke more slowly to help us to understand. Could you sing more quietly please? With short adverbs that do not end in -ly comparative and superlative forms are identical to adjectives: add -er to form the comparative and -est to form the superlative. If the adverb ends in e, remove it before adding the ending. Adverb Comparative Superlative hard harder hardest fast faster fastest late later latest EXAMPLES Jim works harder than his brother. Everyone in the race ran fast, but John ran the fastest of all. Some adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms. Adverb Comparative Superlative badly worse worst far farther/further farthest/furthest little less least well better best EXAMPLES The little boy ran farther than his friends. You're driving worse today than yesterday ! He played the best of any player.

USING ADVERBS IN ENGLISH

Adverbs modify, or tell us more about, other words. Usually adverbs modify verbs, telling us how, how often, when, or where something was done. The adverb is placed after the verb it modifies. EXAMPLES The bus moved slowly. The bears ate greedily. The car drove fast. Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives, making them stronger or weaker. EXAMPLES You look absolutely fabulous! He is slightly overweight. You are very persistent. Some types of adverbs can modify other adverbs, changing their degree or precision. EXAMPLES She played the violin extremely well. You're speaking too quietly.

ADVERBS OF CERTAINTY

Adverbs of certainty express how certain we feel about an action or event. Adverbs of certainty go before the main verb unless the main verb is 'to be', in which case the adverb of certainty goes after. certainly, definitely, probably, undoubtedly, surely EXAMPLES He definitely left the house this morning. He surely won't forget. He is probably in the park. He is certainly a smart man. If there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb of certainty goes between the auxiliary and the main verb. EXAMPLES He has certainly forgotten the meeting. He will probably remember tomorrow. He is definitely running late. Sometimes these adverbs of certainty can be placed at the beginning of the sentence. EXAMPLES Undoubtedly, Winston Churchill was a great politician. Certainly, I will be there. Probably, he has forgotten the meeting. When the adverb of certainty surely is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it means the speaker thinks something is true, but is looking for confirmation. EXAMPLES Surely you've got a bicycle. Surely you're not going to wear that to the party.

ADVERBS OF DEGREE

Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity of something. Adverbs of degree are usually placed before the adjective, adverb, or verb that they modify, although there are some exceptions. The words "too", "enough", "very", and "extremely" are examples of adverbs of degree. 1.Adverb of degree 2.Modifying 3.Example 1.extremely 2.adjective 3.The water was extremely cold. 1.quite 2.adjective 3.The movie is quite interesting. 1.just 2.verb 3.He was just leaving. 1.almost 2.verb 3.She has almost finished. 1.very 2.adverb 3.She is running very fast. 1.too 2.adverb 3.You are walking too slowly. 1.enough 2.adverb 3.You are running fast enough. USAGE OF "ENOUGH" Enough can be used as both an adverb and as a determiner. ENOUGH AS AN ADVERB Enough as an adverb meaning 'to the necessary degree' goes after the adjective or adverb that it is modifying, and not before it as other adverbs do. It can be used both in positive and negative sentences. EXAMPLES Is your coffee hot enough? This box isn't big enough. He didn't work hard enough. I got here early enough. Enough is often followed by "to" + the infinitive. EXAMPLES He didn't work hard enough to pass the exam. Is your coffee hot enough to drink? She's not old enough to get married. I got here early enough to sign up. Enough can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something". EXAMPLES The dress was big enough for me. She's not experienced enough for this job. Is the coffee hot enough for you? He didn't work hard enough for a promotion. ENOUGH AS A DETERMINER Enough as a determiner meaning 'as much/many as necessary' goes before the noun it modifies. It is used with countable nouns in the plural and with uncountable nouns. EXAMPLES We have enough bread. You have enough children. They don't have enough food. I don't have enough apples. USAGE OF "TOO" "Too" is always an adverb, but it has two distinct meanings, each with its own usage patterns. TOO MEANING "ALSO" Too as an adverb meaning "also" goes at the end of the phrase it modifies. EXAMPLES I would like to go swimming too, if you will let me come. Can I go to the zoo too? Is this gift for me too? I'm not going to clean your room too! TOO MEANING "EXCESSIVELY" Too as an adverb meaning "excessively" goes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. It can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences. EXAMPLES This coffee is too hot. He works too hard. Isn't she too young? I am not too short! Too is often followed by "to" + the infinitive. EXAMPLES The coffee was too hot to drink. You're too young to have grandchildren! I am not too tired to go out tonight. Don't you work too hard to have any free time? Too can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something". EXAMPLES The coffee was too hot for me. The dress was too small for her. He's not too old for this job. Sally's not too slow for our team. USAGE OF "VERY" Very goes before an adverb or adjective to make it stronger. EXAMPLES The girl was very beautiful. The house is very expensive. He worked very quickly. She runs very fast. If we want to make a negative form of an adjective or adverb, we can add "not" to the verb, we can use an adjective or adverb of opposite meaning, or we can use "not very" with the original adjective or adverb. The meanings of the phrases are not identical. Usually the phrase using "not very" is less direct, and thus more polite, than the other phrases. EXAMPLES 1.Original phrase 2.Opposite meaning with "not" 3.Opposite meaning with "not very" 4.Opposite meaning with an opposite word 1.The girl was beautiful. 2.The girl was not beautiful. 3.The girl was not very beautiful. 4.The girl was ugly. 1.He worked quickly. 2.He did not work quickly. 3.He did not work very quickly. 4.He worked slowly. DIFFERENCE IN MEANING BETWEEN "VERY" AND "TOO" There is a big difference in meaning between "too" and "very". "Very" expresses a fact while "too" suggests there is a problem. EXAMPLES He speaks very quickly. He speaks too quickly for me to understand. It is very hot outside. It is too hot outside to go for a walk. OTHER ADVERBS USED LIKE "VERY" Some common adverbs are used in the same way as "very" to heighten the degree of adjectives and adverbs. 1.Expressing very strong feelings 2.Expressing strong feelings 3.Expressing somewhat doubtful feelings 1.extremely, terribly, amazingly, wonderfully, insanely 2.especially, particularly, uncommonly, unusually, remarkably, quite 3.pretty, rather, fairly, not especially, not particularly 1.The movie was amazingly interesting. 2.The movie was particularly interesting. 3.The movie was fairly interesting. 1.She sang wonderfully well. 2.She sang unusually well. 3.She sang pretty well. 1.The lecture was terribly boring. 2.The lecture was quite boring. 3.The lecture was rather boring. INVERSION WITH NEGATIVE ADVERBS Normally the subject goes before the verb, however, some negative adverbs can cause an inversion when placed at the beginning of the clause. The order is reversed and the verb goes before the subject. This inversion is only used in writing, not in speaking. 1.Adverb 2.Normal word order 3.Inversion 1.Never 2.I have never seen such courage. 3.Never have I seen such courage. 1.Rarely 2.She rarely left the house. 3.Rarely did she leave the house. 1.Not only 2.She did not only the cooking but the cleaning as well. 3.Not only did she do the cooking, but the cleaning as well. 1.Scarcely 2.I scarcely closed the door before he started talking. 3.Scarcely did I close the door before he started talking. 1.Seldom 2.We seldom cross the river after sunset. 3.Seldom do we cross the river sunset.

ADVERBS OF MANNER

Adverbs of manner tell us how something happens. They are usually placed either after the main verb or after the object. EXAMPLES He swims well. He ran quickly. She spoke softly. James coughed loudly to attract her attention. He plays the flute beautifully. (after the direct object) He ate the chocolate cake greedily. (after the direct object) An adverb of manner cannot be put between a verb and its direct object. The adverb must be placed either before the verb or at the end of the clause. EXAMPLES He ate greedily the chocolate cake. [incorrect] He ate the chocolate cake greedily. [correct] He greedily ate the chocolate cake. [correct] He gave us generously the money. [incorrect] He gave us the money generously. [correct] He generously gave us the money. [correct] If there is a preposition before the verb's object, you can place the adverb of manner either before the preposition or after the object. EXAMPLES The child ran happily towards his mother. The child ran towards his mother happily. Adverbs of manner should always come immediately after verbs which have no object (intransitive verbs). EXAMPLES The town grew quickly after 1997. He waited patiently for his mother to arrive. These common adverbs of manner are almost always placed directly after the verb: well, badly, hard, & fast EXAMPLES He swam well despite being tired. The rain fell hard during the storm. The position of the adverb is important when there is more than one verb in a sentence. If the adverb is placed before or after the main verb, it modifies only that verb. If the adverb is placed after a clause, then it modifies the whole action described by the clause. Notice the difference in meaning between the following sentences. Example=Meaning She quickly agreed to re-type the letter.=the agreement is quick She agreed quickly to re-type the letter.=the agreement is quick She agreed to re-type the letter quickly.=the re-typing is quick He quietly asked me to leave the house.=the request is quiet He asked me quietly to leave the house.=the request is quiet He asked me to leave the house quietly.=the leaving is quiet. LITERARY USAGE Sometimes an adverb of manner is placed before a verb + object to add emphasis. EXAMPLES He gently woke the sleeping woman. She angrily slammed the door. Some writers put an adverb of manner at the beginning of the sentence to catch our attention and make us curious. EXAMPLES Slowly she picked up the knife. Roughly he grabbed her arm.

ADVERBS OF PLACE

Adverbs of place tell us where something happens. Adverbs of place are usually placed after the main verb or after the clause that they modify. Adverbs of place do not modify adjectives or other adverbs. Some examples of adverbs of place: here, everywhere, outside, away, around EXAMPLES John looked around but he couldn't see the monkey. I searched everywhere I could think of. I'm going back to school. Come in! They built a house nearby. She took the child outside. HERE AND THERE Here and there are common adverbs of place. They give a location relative to the speaker. With verbs of movement, here means "towards or with the speaker" and there means "away from, or not with the speaker". Sentence Meaning Come here! Come towards me. The table is in here. Come with me; we will go . see it together. Put it there. Put it in a place away . from me. The table is in there. Go in; you can see it by . . yourself. Here and there are combined with prepositions to make many common adverbial phrases. EXAMPLES What are you doing up there? Come over here and look at what I found! The baby is hiding down there under the table. I wonder how my driver's license got stuck under here. Here and there are placed at the beginning of the sentence in exclamations or when emphasis is needed. They are followed by the verb if the subject is a noun or by a pronoun if the subject is a pronoun. EXAMPLES Here comes the bus! There goes the bell! There it is! Here they are! ADVERBS OF PLACE THAT ARE ALSO PREPOSITIONS Many adverbs of place can also be used as prepositions. When used as prepositions, they must be followed by a noun. 1.Word 2.Used as an adverb of place, modifying a verb 3.Used as a preposition 1.around 2.The marble rolled around in my hand. 3.I am wearing a necklace around my neck. 1.behind 2.Hurry! You are getting behind. 3.Let's hide behind the shed. 1.down 2.Mary fell down. 3.John made his way carefully down the cliff. 1.in 2.We decided to drop in on Jake. 3.I dropped the letter in the mailbox. 1.off 2.Let's get off at the next stop. 3.The wind blew the flowers off the tree. 1.on 2.We rode on for several more hours. 3.Please put the books on the table. 1.over 2.He turned over and went back to sleep. 3.I think I will hang the picture over my bed. ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN -WHERE Adverbs of place that end in -where express the idea of location without specifying a specific location or direction. EXAMPLES I would like to go somewhere warm for my vacation. Is there anywhere I can find a perfect plate of spaghetti around here? I have nowhere to go. I keep running in to Sally everywhere! ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN -WARDS Adverbs of place that end in -wards express movement in a particular direction. EXAMPLES Cats don't usually walk backwards. The ship sailed westwards. The balloon drifted upwards. We will keep walking homewards until we arrive. Be careful: Towards is a preposition, not an adverb, so it is always followed by a noun or a pronoun. EXAMPLES He walked towards the car. She ran towards me. ADVERBS OF PLACE EXPRESSING BOTH MOVEMENT & LOCATION Some adverbs of place express both movement & location at the same time. EXAMPLES The child went indoors. He lived and worked abroad. Water always flows downhill. The wind pushed us sideways.1

ADVERBS OF TIME

Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, but also for how long, and how often. Adverbs of time are invariable. They are extremely common in English. Adverbs of time have standard positions in a sentence depending on what the adverb of time is telling us. ADVERBS THAT TELL US WHEN Adverbs that tell us when are usually placed at the end of the sentence. EXAMPLES Goldilocks went to the Bears' house yesterday. I'm going to tidy my room tomorrow. I saw Sally today. I will call you later. I have to leave now. I saw that movie last year. Putting an adverb that tells us when at the end of a sentence is a neutral position, but these adverbs can be put in other positions to give a different emphasis. All adverbs that tell us when can be placed at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize the time element. Some can also be put before the main verb in formal writing, while others cannot occupy that position. EXAMPLES Later Goldilocks ate some porridge. (the time is important) Goldilocks later ate some porridge. (this is more formal, like a policeman's report) Goldilocks ate some porridge later. (this is neutral, no particular emphasis) ADVERBS THAT TELL US FOR HOW LONG Adverbs that tell us for how long are also usually placed at the end of the sentence. EXAMPLES She stayed in the Bears' house all day. My mother lived in France for a year. I have been going to this school since 1996. In these adverbial phrases that tell us for how long, for is always followed by an expression of duration, while since is always followed by an expression of a point in time. EXAMPLES I stayed in Switzerland for three days. I am going on vacation for a week. I have been riding horses for several years. The French monarchy lasted for several centuries. I have not seen you since Monday. Jim has been working here since 1997. There has not been a more exciting discovery since last century. ADVERBS THAT TELL US HOW OFTEN Adverbs that tell us how often express the frequency of an action. They are usually placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs (such as be, have, may, & must). The only exception is when the main verb is "to be", in which case the adverb goes after the main verb. EXAMPLES I often eat vegetarian food. He never drinks milk. You must always fasten your seat belt. I am seldom late. He rarely lies. Many adverbs that express frequency can also be placed at either the beginning or the end of the sentence, although some cannot be. When they are placed in these alternate positions, the meaning of the adverb is much stronger. 1.Adverb that can be used in two positions 2.Stronger position 3.Weaker position 1.frequently 2.I visit France frequently. 3.I frequently visit France. 1.generally 2.Generally, I don't like spicy foods. 3.I generally don't like spicy foods. 1.normally 2.I listen to classical music normally. 3.I normally listen to classical music. 1.occasionally 2.I go to the opera occasionally. 3.I occasionally go to the opera. 1.often 2.Often, I jog in the morning. 3.I often jog in the morning. 1.regularly 2.I come to this museum regularly. 3.I regularly come to this museum. 1.sometimes 2.I get up very early sometimes. 3.I sometimes get up very early. 1.usually 2.I enjoy being with children usually. 3.I usually enjoy being with children. Some other adverbs that tell us how often express the exact number of times an action happens or happened. These adverbs are usually placed at the end of the sentence. EXAMPLES This magazine is published monthly. He visits his mother once a week. I work five days a week. I saw the movie seven times. USING YET Yet is used in questions and in negative sentences to indicate that something that has not happened or may not have happened but is expected to happen. It is placed at the end of the sentence or after not. EXAMPLES Have you finished your work yet? (= simple request for information) No, not yet. (= simple negative answer) They haven't met him yet. (= simple negative statement) Haven't you finished yet? (= expressing surprise) USING STILL Still expresses continuity. In positive sentences it is placed before the main verb and after auxiliary verbs such as be, have, might, will. If the main verb is to be, then place still after it rather than before. In questions, still goes before the main verb. EXAMPLES She is still waiting for you. Jim might still want some. Do you still work for the BBC? Are you still here? I am still hungry. ORDER OF ADVERBS OF TIME If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in this order: 1: how long 2: how often 3: when EXAMPLES 1 + 2 : I work (1) for five hours (2) every day 2 + 3 : The magazine was published (2) weekly (3) last year. 1 + 3 : I was abroad (1) for two months (3) last year. 1 + 2 + 3 : She worked in a hospital (1) for two days (2) every week (3) last year.