Adverbs modify, or tell us more about, other words. Usually adverbs modify verbs, telling us how, how often, when, or where something was done. The adverb is placed after the verb it modifies
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:Examples The bus moved slowly The bears ate greedily The car drove fast |
Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives, making them stronger or weaker
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:Examples You look absolutely fabulous He is slightly overweight You are very persistent |
Some types of adverbs can modify other adverbs, changing their degree or precision
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:Examples She played the violin extremely well You’re speaking too quietly |
FORMING ADVERBS FROM ADJECTIVES
In most cases, an adverb is formed by adding -ly to an adjective
| Adverb | Adjective |
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Cheaply Quickly Slowly |
Cheap Quick Slow |
If the adjective ends in -y, replace the y with i and add -ly
| Adverb | Adjective |
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eaeily angrily happily luckily |
easy angry happy lucky |
If the adjective ends in -able, -ible, or -le, replace the -e with -y
| Adverb | Adjective |
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probably terribly gently |
probable terrible gentle |
If the adjective ends in -ic, add -ally. Exception: public -> publicly
| Adverb | Adjective |
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basically tragically economically |
basic tragic economic |
Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective: early, fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, & wrong
:ExamplesIt is a fast car He drives very fast This is a hard exercise He works hardWe saw many high buildings The bird flew high in the sky |
Well is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective good
:ExamplesHe is a good student He studies well She is a good pianist She plays the piano well They are good swimmers They swim well |