A number of adverbs are formed by adding –ly to the corresponding adjective; e.g.

nice – nicely, easy – easily, successful – successfully etc. However,

there are a few adverbs which have the same form as the corresponding adjectives;
e.g. fast, straight, low, long etc. Sometimes
both forms exist, but their meaning differs.

hard – with great energy, high – at or to a height late – after expected time
vigour etc. hardly –
highly – (intensifier) very, lately - recently
scarcely, almost not
greatly

near – close by direct – without short – abruptly, suddenly

interruption, straight shortly – in a short time,
nearly - almost
directly – at once; soon
involving no one else

deep – a long way down wide – as much as possible right – correctly,

from the surface widely – to a large extent accurately; opp. of left
deeply – profoundly, very rightly – for a good
much reason, justly

wrong – in a way that is sharp – exactly; in a way dead – completely; very

not correct that changes direction deadly – extremely
wrongly - unjustly suddenly
sharply – severely
Hard, hardly

1. He has worked ___________ all his life. 2. I

didn’t mean to hit him so _________. 3. We could
__________ afford to pay the rent.

High, highly

1. He was _________ praised for his charity work. 2. The

birds are flying _________. 3. He raised his
hands _________ up. 4. They have found
some __________ dangerous chemicals in the ground.
Late, lately

1. He came __________ to school. 2. I

haven’t heard from him __________. 3.
Have I told you _________ that I love you.

Near, nearly

1. I __________ missed the train. 2.

They have spent ________ € 5,000,000 on a new yacht. 3.
The time was drawing ________ for my flight to London.

Direct, directly

1. The goods will be sent _________ to you. 2. I’m

holding you __________ responsible for this. 3. He
left the office _________ after the meeting.

Short, shortly

1. He will come _________.

2. The car stopped _________ only a few inches from where I was standing. 3.
We’re going to have a lunch break very ______.

Deep, deeply

1. The river runs _______. 2. I’m

_________ sorry for your loss. 3. His
comment offended her __________.

Wide, widely

1. The two sisters differed _________ in their appearance. 2. The

sleepwalker’s eyes were _________ open. 3. Stand with
your legs _________ apart and then bend over and touch the floor.

Right, rightly

1. Turn __________ at the next crossroads. 2.

He was _________ blamed for the accident. 3.
The car keys were ________ here a moment ago.

Wrong, wrongly

1. It was at that corner that we went ___________. 2. He

was ________ accused of the crime.

Sharp, sharply

1. Be here at 6 p.m. ________. 2.

Turn __________ over there at the crossroads.
3. The teacher spoke _________ to the boy.

Dead, deadly
The key

 Hard, hard, hardly

 Highly, high, high, highly
 Late, lately, lately
 Nearly, nearly, near
 Direct, directly, directly
 Shortly, short, shortly
 Deep, deeply, deeply
 Widely, wide, wide
 Right, rightly, right
 Wrong, wrongly
 Sharp, sharp, sharply
 Deadly, dead, dead