USING ADVERBS IN ENGLISH

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.

EXAMPLES

The bus moved slowly.

The bears ate greedily.

The car drove fast.

Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives, making them stronger or weaker.

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.

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

Adjective Adverb

cheap cheaply

quick quickly

slow slowly

If the adjective ends in -y, replace the y with i and add -ly

Adjective Adverb

easy easily

angry angrily

happy happily

lucky luckily

If the adjective ends in -able, -ible, or -le, replace the -e with -y.

Adjective Adverb

probable probably

terrible terribly

gentle gently

If the adjective ends in -ic, add -ally. Exception: public -> publicly

Adjective Adverb

basic basically

tragic tragically

economic economically
Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective: early, fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, & wrong

EXAMPLES

It is a fast car.

He drives very fast.

This is a hard exercise.

He works hard.

We saw many high buildings.

The bird flew high in the sky.

Well is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective good.

EXAMPLES

He is a good student.

He studies well.

She is a good pianist.

She plays the piano well.

They are good swimmers.

They swim well.

ADVERBS OF PLACE

Adverbs of place tell us where something happens. Adverbs of place are usually placed after the main
verb or after the clause that they modify. Adverbs of place do not modify adjectives or other adverbs.
Some examples of adverbs of place: here, everywhere, outside, away, around

EXAMPLES

John looked around but he couldn't see the monkey.

I searched everywhere I could think of.

I'm going back to school.

Come in!

They built a house nearby.

She took the child outside.

HERE AND THERE

Here and there are common adverbs of place. They give a location relative to the speaker. With verbs of
movement, here means "towards or with the speaker" and there means "away from, or not with the
speaker".

Sentence Meaning

Come here! Come towards me.

The table is in here. Come with me; we will go see it together.

Put it there. Put it in a place away from me.

The table is in there. Go in; you can see it by yourself.

Here and there are combined with prepositions to make many common adverbial phrases.

EXAMPLES

What are you doing up there?

Come over here and look at what I found!

The baby is hiding down there under the table.

I wonder how my driver's license got stuck under here.

Here and there are placed at the beginning of the sentence in exclamations or when emphasis is needed.
They are followed by the verb if the subject is a noun or by a pronoun if the subject is a pronoun.

EXAMPLES

Here comes the bus!

There goes the bell!

There it is!

Here they are!

ADVERBS OF PLACE THAT ARE ALSO PREPOSITIONS

Many adverbs of place can also be used as prepositions. When used as prepositions, they must be
followed by a noun.

Word Used as an adverb of place, modifying a verb Used as a preposition

around The marble rolled around in my hand. I am wearing a necklace around my neck.

behind Hurry! You are getting behind. Let's hide behind the shed.

down Mary fell down. John made his way carefully down the cliff.

in We decided to drop in on Jake. I dropped the letter in the mailbox.

off Let's get off at the next stop. The wind blew the flowers off the tree.

on We rode on for several more hours. Please put the books on the table.

over He turned over and went back to sleep. I think I will hang the picture over my bed.
ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN -WHERE

Adverbs of place that end in -where express the idea of location without specifying a specific location or
direction.

EXAMPLES

I would like to go somewhere warm for my vacation.

Is there anywhere I can find a perfect plate of spaghetti around here?

I have nowhere to go.

I keep running in to Sally everywhere!

ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN -WARDS

Adverbs of place that end in -wards express movement in a particular direction.

EXAMPLES

Cats don't usually walk backwards.

The ship sailed westwards.

The balloon drifted upwards.

We will keep walking homewards until we arrive.

Be careful: Towards is a preposition, not an adverb, so it is always followed by a noun or a pronoun.

EXAMPLES

He walked towards the car.

She ran towards me.

ADVERBS OF PLACE EXPRESSING BOTH MOVEMENT & LOCATION

Some adverbs of place express both movement & location at the same time.

EXAMPLES

The child went indoors.

He lived and worked abroad.

Water always flows downhill.

The wind pushed us sideways.

ADVERBS OF TIME

Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, but also for how long, and how often. Adverbs of time
are invariable. They are extremely common in English. Adverbs of time have standard positions in a
sentence depending on what the adverb of time is telling us.

ADVERBS THAT TELL US WHEN

Adverbs that tell us when are usually placed at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLES

Goldilocks went to the Bears' house yesterday.

I'm going to tidy my room tomorrow.

I saw Sally today.

I will call you later.

I have to leave now.

I saw that movie last year.

Putting an adverb that tells us when at the end of a sentence is a neutral position, but these adverbs can
be put in other positions to give a different emphasis. All adverbs that tell us when can be placed at the
beginning of the sentence to emphasize the time element. Some can also be put before the main verb in
formal writing, while others cannot occupy that position.

EXAMPLES
Later Goldilocks ate some porridge. (the time is important)

Goldilocks later ate some porridge. (this is more formal, like a policeman's report)

Goldilocks ate some porridge later. (this is neutral, no particular emphasis)

ADVERBS THAT TELL US FOR HOW LONG

Adverbs that tell us for how long are also usually placed at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLES

She stayed in the Bears' house all day.

My mother lived in France for a year.

I have been going to this school since 1996.

In these adverbial phrases that tell us for how long, for is always followed by an expression of duration,
while since is always followed by an expression of a point in time.

EXAMPLES

I stayed in Switzerland for three days.

I am going on vacation for a week.

I have been riding horses for several years.

The French monarchy lasted for several centuries.

I have not seen you since Monday.

Jim has been working here since 1997.

There has not been a more exciting discovery since last century.

ADVERBS THAT TELL US HOW OFTEN

Adverbs that tell us how often express the frequency of an action. They are usually placed before the
main verb but after auxiliary verbs (such as be, have, may, & must). The only exception is when the main
verb is "to be", in which case the adverb goes after the main verb.

EXAMPLES

I often eat vegetarian food.

He never drinks milk.

You must always fasten your seat belt.

I am seldom late.

He rarely lies.

Many adverbs that express frequency can also be placed at either the beginning or the end of the
sentence, although some cannot be. When they are placed in these alternate positions, the meaning
of the adverb is much stronger.

Adverb that can be used in two positions Stronger position Weaker position

frequently I visit France frequently. I frequently visit France.

generally Generally, I don't like spicy foods. I generally don't like spicy foods.

normally I listen to classical music normally. I normally listen to classical music.

occasionally I go to the opera occasionally. I occasionally go to the opera.

often Often, I jog in the morning. I often jog in the morning.

regularly I come to this museum regularly. I regularly come to this museum.

sometimes I get up very early sometimes. I sometimes get up very early.

usually I enjoy being with children usually. I usually enjoy being with children.
Some other adverbs that tell us how often express the exact number of times an action happens or
happened. These adverbs are usually placed at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLES

This magazine is published monthly.

He visits his mother once a week.

I work five days a week.

I saw the movie seven times.

USING YET

Yet is used in questions and in negative sentences to indicate that something that has not happened or
may not have happened but is expected to happen. It is placed at the end of the sentence or after not.

EXAMPLES

Have you finished your work yet? (= simple request for information)

No, not yet. (= simple negative answer)

They haven't met him yet. (= simple negative statement)

Haven't you finished yet? (= expressing surprise)

USING STILL

Still expresses continuity. In positive sentences it is placed before the main verb and after auxiliary verbs
such as be, have, might, will. If the main verb is to be, then place still after it rather than before. In
questions, still goes before the main verb.

EXAMPLES

She is still waiting for you.

Jim might still want some.

Do you still work for the BBC?

Are you still here?

I am still hungry.

ORDER OF ADVERBS OF TIME

If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in this order:

1: how long 2: how often 3: when

EXAMPLES

1 + 2 : I work (1) for five hours (2) every day

2 + 3 : The magazine was published (2) weekly (3) last year.

1 + 3 : I was abroad (1) for two months (3) last year.

1 + 2 + 3 : She worked in a hospital (1) for two days (2) every week (3) last year.

ADVERBS OF MANNER
Adverbs of manner tell us how something happens. They are usually placed either after the main verb or
after the object.

EXAMPLES

He swims well.

He ran quickly.

She spoke softly.

James coughed loudly to attract her attention.

He plays the flute beautifully. (after the direct object)

He ate the chocolate cake greedily. (after the direct object)

An adverb of manner cannot be put between a verb and its direct object. The adverb must be placed
either before the verb or at the end of the clause.

EXAMPLES

He ate greedily the chocolate cake. [incorrect]

He ate the chocolate cake greedily. [correct]

He greedily ate the chocolate cake. [correct]

He gave us generously the money. [incorrect]

He gave us the money generously. [correct]

He generously gave us the money. [correct]

If there is a preposition before the verb's object, you can place the adverb of manner either before the
preposition or after the object.

EXAMPLES

The child ran happily towards his mother.

The child ran towards his mother happily.

Adverbs of manner should always come immediately after verbs which have no object (intransitive
verbs).

EXAMPLES

The town grew quickly after 1997.

He waited patiently for his mother to arrive.

These common adverbs of manner are almost always placed directly after the verb: well, badly, hard,
& fast

EXAMPLES

He swam well despite being tired.

The rain fell hard during the storm.

The position of the adverb is important when there is more than one verb in a sentence. If the adverb
is placed before or after the main verb, it modifies only that verb. If the adverb is placed after a clause,
then it modifies the whole action described by the clause. Notice the difference in meaning between
the following sentences.

Example Meaning

She quickly agreed to re-type the letter. the agreement is quick

She agreed quickly to re-type the letter. the agreement is quick

She agreed to re-type the letter quickly. the re-typing is quick

He quietly asked me to leave the house. the request is quiet

He asked me quietly to leave the house. the request is quiet

He asked me to leave the house quietly. the leaving is quiet

LITERARY USAGE

Sometimes an adverb of manner is placed before a verb + object to add emphasis.

EXAMPLES

He gently woke the sleeping woman.

She angrily slammed the door.

Writers put an adverb of manner at the beginning of the sentence to catch our attention and make us
curious.

EXAMPLES

Slowly she picked up the knife.

Roughly he grabbed her arm.

ADVERBS OF DEGREE

Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity of something. Adverbs of degree are usually placed before
the adjective, adverb, or verb that they modify, although there are some exceptions. The words "too",
"enough", "very", and "extremely" are examples of adverbs of degree.

Adverb of degree Modifying Example

extremely adjective The water was extremely cold.

quite adjective The movie is quite interesting.

just verb He was just leaving.

almost verb She has almost finished.

very adverb She is running very fast.

too adverb You are walking too slowly.

enough adverb You are running fast enough.

USAGE OF "ENOUGH"

Enough can be used as both an adverb and as a determiner.

ENOUGH AS AN ADVERB

Enough as an adverb meaning 'to the necessary degree' goes after the adjective or adverb that it is
modifying, and not before it as other adverbs do. It can be used both in positive and negative sentences.

EXAMPLES

Is your coffee hot enough?

This box isn't big enough.

He didn't work hard enough.

I got here early enough.

Enough is often followed by "to" + the infinitive.

EXAMPLES

He didn't work hard enough to pass the exam.

Is your coffee hot enough to drink?

She's not old enough to get married.

I got here early enough to sign up.

Enough can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something".

EXAMPLES

The dress was big enough for me.

She's not experienced enough for this job.

Is the coffee hot enough for you?

He didn't work hard enough for a promotion.

ENOUGH AS A DETERMINER
Enough as a determiner meaning 'as much/many as necessary' goes before the noun it modifies. It is
used with countable nouns in the plural and with uncountable nouns.

EXAMPLES

We have enough bread.

You have enough children.

They don't have enough food.

I don't have enough apples.

USAGE OF "TOO"

"Too" is always an adverb, but it has two distinct meanings, each with its own usage patterns.

TOO MEANING "ALSO"

Too as an adverb meaning "also" goes at the end of the phrase it modifies.

EXAMPLES

I would like to go swimming too, if you will let me come.

Can I go to the zoo too?

Is this gift for me too?

I'm not going to clean your room too!

TOO MEANING "EXCESSIVELY"

Too as an adverb meaning "excessively" goes before the adjective or adverb it modifies. It can be used in
both affirmative and negative sentences.

EXAMPLES

This coffee is too hot.

He works too hard.

Isn't she too young?

I am not too short!

Too is often followed by "to" + the infinitive.

EXAMPLES

The coffee was too hot to drink.

You're too young to have grandchildren!

I am not too tired to go out tonight.

Don't you work too hard to have any free time?

Too can also be followed by "for someone" or "for something".

EXAMPLES

The coffee was too hot for me.

The dress was too small for her.

He's not too old for this job.

Sally's not too slow for our team.

USAGE OF "VERY"

Very goes before an adverb or adjective to make it stronger.

EXAMPLES

The girl was very beautiful.

The house is very expensive.

He worked very quickly.

She runs very fast.

If we want to make a negative form of an adjective or adverb, we can add "not" to the verb, we can use
an adjective or adverb of opposite meaning, or we can use "not very" with the original adjective or
adverb. The meanings of the phrases are not identical. Usually the phrase using "not very" is less direct,
and thus more polite, than the other phrases.

EXAMPLES

Original phrase Opposite meaning with "not" Opposite meaning with "not very" Opposite
meaning with an opposite word

The girl was beautiful. The girl was not beautiful. The girl was not very beautiful. The girl was
ugly.

He worked quickly. He did not work quickly.He did not work very quickly. He worked slowly.

DIFFERENCE IN MEANING BETWEEN "VERY" AND "TOO"

There is a big difference in meaning between "too" and "very". "Very" expresses a fact while "too"
suggests there is a problem.

EXAMPLES

He speaks very quickly.

He speaks too quickly for me to understand.

It is very hot outside.

It is too hot outside to go for a walk.

OTHER ADVERBS USED LIKE "VERY"

Some common adverbs are used in the same way as "very" to heighten the degree of adjectives and
adverbs.

Expressing very strong feelings Expressing strong feelings Expressing somewhat doubtful feelings

extremely, terribly, amazingly, wonderfully, insanely especially, particularly, uncommonly, unusually,

remarkably, quite pretty, rather, fairly, not especially, not particularly

The movie was amazingly interesting. The movie was particularly interesting. The movie was fairly
interesting.

She sang wonderfully well. She sang unusually well. She sang pretty well.
The lecture was terribly boring. The lecture was quite boring. The lecture was rather boring.

INVERSION WITH NEGATIVE ADVERBS

Normally the subject goes before the verb, however, some negative adverbs can cause an inversion
when placed at the beginning of the clause. The order is reversed and the verb goes before the subject.
This inversion is only used in writing, not in speaking.

Adverb Normal word order Inversion

Never I have never seen such courage. Never have I seen such courage.

Rarely She rarely left the house. Rarely did she leave the house.

Not only She did not only the cooking but the cleaning as well. Not only did she do the
cooking, but the cleaning as well.

Scarcely I scarcely closed the door before he started talking. Scarcely did I close the door
before he started talking.

Seldom We seldom cross the river after sunset. Seldom do we cross the river sunset.