Adverbs

• Adverbs modify a verb / an adjective / another adverb

• Most adverbs end in “-ly” à adding “-ly” to adjectives, e.g. clearly, quietly

• Adjectives modify a noun / a pronoun

Examples:

Adjective Adverb

We had a late breakfast. We were late for school.

It is a hard exam. They tried hard for the exam.

• To answer the questions, examples:

Type of Question Example Example Sentence

adverb

Manner How? clearly, easily, They finish their homework

quietly, slowly quickly.

Time When? ago, later, now, Mum does housework daily.

soon, then

Place Where? away, here, inside, I wish to travel everywhere.

there, up

Frequency Under what always, usually, Emily briefly talks about the

condition? continuously, never, topic.

forever, briefly

Degree To what extent? almost, so, too, The weather is extremely hot!

more, least,

extremely, quite
 Adjective Adverb

good

bad badly

fast

slow slowly

happy

sad sadly

• Adverbs may appear at various places in a sentence

à may come before / after / between the words that adverbs modify

Examples:

We sometimes study together. I did not hurt myself luckily.

We study together sometimes. Luckily, I did not hurt myself.

Sometimes, we study together.

• More examples:

– They are definitely going to win the prize!

– Unfortunately, he broke his ankle.

Difference in meaning!

Adjective Adverb

hard (硬) board hardly (僅僅/幾乎不)

I could hardly hear her at the back.

late night lately (= recently 最近)

high (高) highly (非常) recommended

free (免費/自由) move around freely (自由地/可輕易移動地)

short (短) arrive shortly (= soon 不久/很快)