ADVERBS

-ly
We form descriptive adverbs by adding -ly to an adjective.

Adjective Adverb
a bad man do badly
a quick run solve it quickly
an easy exercise check it easily
a successful sportsman develop it successfully
an efficient service work efficiently
a slow computer drive slowly
a quiet room leave quietly
a happy child work happily
a nice day play nicely
a safe place keep it safely

Irregular adverbs
The most common irregular adverb to describe a verb is well.
A few adverbs have the same form as the adjective, such as fast and long.

Adjective Adverb
a good time do it well
a fast train change fast
a long time not last long
a hard job work hard
a late night go out late
early morning get up early
a loud noise talk loud / loudly

Modifiers
We can modify descriptive adverbs with quite, very, really and too.
The economy’s doing quite badly.
I had a problem, but the company solved it very quickly.
Things are changing really fast.
For more information on modifiers, see Unit 6.
Comparatives
We can make comparatives in the same way as with adjectives.
I‘m sure he’ll do better next time.
LED lights last longer than other lights.
Can you speak more slowly? I can’t follow.
They hope the cells will work more efficiently in the future.
For more information on comparatives, see Unit 6.