ADVERBS OF MANNER

Adverbs of manner describe how something happens. For example, it is possible to walk or
run at different speeds. The words used to describe walking or running at different speeds
(quickly or slowly for example) are some examples of adverbs of manner. They help the
reader gain greater insight into the way a written scene is playing out. Adverbs of manner
are formed by adding ‘-ly’ to an adjective

For adjectives that end with ‘y’ we need to change the adverb ending to ‘-ily’.
1. The boys ran. (There is no adverb of manner in this sentence, so we can only
imagine how fast the boys are running.)

2. The boys ran quickly. (The adverb of manner is quickly. It tells us that the boys are
in a hurry.)

Adverbs without ‘-ly’

There are a few adverbs that do not end in ‘-ly’. These are irregular adverbs.

For example, hard is an adjective AND an adverb:

She is a hard worker. (adjective = describes the noun)
She works hard. (adverb = describes the action of the verb)

Look at the following examples:

1. He quickly agreed to go to the store for milk. (His agreement was quick)
He agreed to go to the store for milk quickly. (He would go to the store quickly)

2. She quietly asked me to leave the room. (Her request was quiet)
She asked me to leave the room quietly. (I am not going to make noise when I
leave)

3. The doctor woke the gently sleeping patient. (The patient was sleeping gently)
The doctor gently woke the sleeping patient. (The doctor was gentle while waking
the patient)
Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.
1. The excited baby pounded the table _______________.
a. Badly
b. Hungrily
c. Normally
d. Carefully

2. Walk ______________ or you may miss the bus.

a. Quickly
b. Slowly
c. Personally
d. Happily

3. Reading ______________ helps you to understand concepts better.

a. Rapidly
b. Briefly
c. Carefully
d. Always

4. Playing music too _______________ can damage your hearing.

a. Slowly
b. Cheerfully
c. Carelessly
d. Loudly

5. A tortoise walks _______________.

a. Mostly
b. Slowly
c. Happily
d. Eagerly
Fill in the blanks with suitable adverbs of manner

1. You speak English ____________________ (fluent).

2. I slept ________________ (bad) last night.

3. The children did __________________ (real) well in their test.

4. He worked ___________________ (hard) and got a promotion.

5. The nurse picked up the baby ________________________ (gentle).

6. Try to do it __________________________ (careful) so we don’t have to

redo it.

7. A car _____________________ (sudden) came round the corner and nearly

hit us!

8. Julie _______________________(tearful) said goodbye to her friend Minal.

9. Go ____________________ (straight) down this road then turn left.

10. I hate getting up ___________________ (late).

11. My brother drives very fast and _______________________ (aggressive).

12. Kids, try to do your homework ______________________ (quiet), please.

13. She dresses very ______________________ (elegant), doesn’t she?

14. Shall I close the lid ___________________ (tight)?

15. It rained _____________________ (heavy) all through the night.

16. We dress ______________________ (casual) on Fridays.

17. The students are listening ______________________________ (attentive).

18. She _____________________________ (hurried) opened the present.

19. I ______________________ (quick) ran to the shop to buy milk.

20. They accepted the offer and moved out ________________________

(immediate).