ADVERBS - FUNCTION

Adverbs modify, or tell us more about other words, usually verbs:

Examples

The bus moved slowly. The bears ate greedily.

Examples

You look absolutely fabulous!

Examples

She played the violin extremely well. You're speaking too quietly.

ADVERBS: How adverbs are formed

Rules
1. In most cases, an adverb is formed by adding '-ly' to an adjective:
Adjective Adverb

cheap quick slow

cheaply quickly slowly

Examples:

Time goes quickly. He walked slowly to the door. She certainly had an interesting life. He carefully picked up the sleeping child.

Rules
If the adjective ends in '-y', replace the 'y' with 'i' and add '-ly':
Adjective Adverb

easy angry happy lucky

easily angrily happily luckily

If the adjective ends in -'able', '-ible', or '-le', replace the '-e' with '-y':
Adjective Adverb

probable terrible gentle

probably terribly gently

If the adjective ends in '-ic', add '-ally':

Adjective

Adverb

basic economic tragic Note: Exception: public - publicly

basically economically tragically

2. Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective:

Adjective and Adverb

early fast hard high Compare:

late near straight wrong

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.

3. 'Well' and 'good' '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.