Overview
This lesson explains how to correctly use adverbs in English, including their forms, functions, placement, and common exceptions.
Adverbs: Definition and Function
- Adverbs give more information about verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, phrases, or clauses.
- Adverbs can describe how, where, when, how often, or how much something happens.
Types of Adverbs and Examples
- Adverbs of manner describe how something happens: "He drove slowly."
- Adverbs of place show where: "We teach English here."
- Adverbs of frequency tell how often: "She always eats the same food."
- Adverbs of time state when: "We are filming this lesson today."
- Adverbs of degree show how much: "He was completely exhausted."
Spelling Rules for Adverbs
- Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives: "clear" → "clearly."
- If the adjective ends in -y, change -y to -ily: "angry" → "angrily."
- If it ends in -ful, add -ly: "beautiful" → "beautifully."
- For adjectives ending in -le, drop the -e and add -ly: "simple" → "simply."
Common Adverb Examples
- "He drove carefully." / "The bus stopped suddenly." / "She shut the door quietly."
- These are adverbs of manner, showing how an action is performed.
Adjective/Adverb Exceptions and Irregularities
- Some words are the same as adjectives and adverbs: "fast," "early," "hard."
- "He drives fast." / "He is a fast driver."
- "He rises early." / "He is an early riser."
- "She works hard." / "She has a hard job."
- "Hardly" means "almost not," not "hard": "She hardly works" = she almost doesn't work.
- "Good" (adjective) changes to "well" (adverb): "She speaks good English" (adjective), "She speaks English well" (adverb).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Adverb — word that modifies a verb, adjective, adverb, phrase, or clause.
- Adjective — word that describes nouns.
- Adverb of manner — tells how something is done.
- Adverb of place — tells where something happens.
- Adverb of frequency — tells how often something happens.
- Adverb of time — tells when something happens.
- Adverb of degree — tells how much.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Take a quiz on adverbs at www.engvid.com to test your understanding.