Adverbs in English language help make speech brighter, more emotional and colorful. Sometimes one word is enough to convey the meaning of a sentence or emphasize what is being said. By studying the formation of adverbs in English using examples, you will be able to more easily understand the peculiarities of composing words, and also learn exceptions. Remember that English is a language of exceptions to the rules, so be sure to study not only the basic rules, but also examples with exceptions. Original imaginary tables should always be in your memory, then your speech will be literate and correct.
Adverbs (adverbs) are used to denote a characteristic or manner of action and can answer the following questions:
Adverbs of the English language are also divided according to their structure, or more precisely, word formation. It is important to remember that an adverb can be:
- Simple (contains only one root => here, now, well)
- Derivatives (root + suffixes and prefixes => rarely, unfortunately, quickly)
- Complex (one word consists of several stems => nowhere, sometimes, downhill)
- Compound (forming an adverb with a phrase that has a single meaning => at first/at first, since then/since then, so far/Bye, at least/at least, in vain/ in vain, at length/details).
When forming adverbs from adjectives, you need to remember that each type is characterized by its own compositional features.
Formation of adverbs in English: rules and exceptions
Using the suffix -ly
This variant of adverb formation is most common. Adverbs in English are formed from adjectives as follows: base of adjective (sometimes noun) + -ly =>
Day+ly => daily (daily)
Swift+ly => swiftly (swiftly)
Sudden+ly => suddenly (unexpectedly)
Bad+ly => badly.
But! The formation of adverbs changes in the following cases =>
When -y changes to -i =>
Happy => happily (happily)
Easy+ly => easily (easy)
Merry => merryly (merry).
Such words will be the exception rather than the rule.
If the word ends in -e, then nothing changes in word formation, you only need to do one thing - add -ly =>
Rude => rudely (rudely)
But!!! True => truly (in fact, truthfully).
If there is an ending -le, then it needs to be changed to -ly =>
Capable => capably (skillfully)
Simple => simply (simple).
On a note! If a word ends in l and is preceded by a vowel, then l needs to be doubled =>
Brutal => brutally (cruelly)
Loyal => loyally (loyally).
Using suffixes -wise, -ward, -like, etc.
It is very important that words are formed correctly: in addition to the well-known suffix -ly, adverbs can also be formed using other suffixes => -wise, -ward, -like, etc.
Vivid examples => forward (forward), warlike (warlike), clockwise (clockwise), stepwise (gradually, step by step), sideward (to the side), seaward (towards the sea).
Important! Adjective word forms and adverb word forms can coincide! This is a difficult situation for a beginning student, and context will help to understand it. Adjectives are related to nouns, and adverbs are related to verbs. In other words, it can be explained as follows => adjective + noun, adverbs + verb. Let's give examples for a better understanding of English grammar =>
I woke up early on Sunday => On Sunday I woke up early. (Answers the question ‘’When?’’ - indicated by an adverb)
This early bird sings so marvelous song! => This early the bird sings such a wonderful song! (Answers the question ‘Which one?’ – is an adjective)
She always drives her car slowly => She always drives her car slowly. (The action is explained by a verb)
Her car is so slowly! => Her car is so slow! (Adjective refers to a noun)
Reference: words related to both adverb and adjective =>
far/near => far/close;
early/late => early/late;
high/low => high/low;
little/much => little/much, etc.
Remember these words well, then it will be easier for you to learn the basic subtleties of the formation of English adverbs.
Please also note that different shapes will have different meanings. It is difficult to guess the correct meaning yourself; it is recommended to seek help from a dictionary. These forms include the following words:
late/lately => late/lately, recently;
hard/hardly => hard/barely;
high/highly => high/extremely, extremely;
close/closely => closely/closely;
near/nearly => close/almost, about.
But! Good=well => good=good.
Classification of adverbs by meaning
In the table below you can clearly see how adverbs are formed and distributed.
| Adverbs of time | When? | Yet, tomorrow, now, today, before, later, for a week, frequently… |
| Adverbs of place | Where? | There, outside, inside, somewhere, nearby, abroad, overseas, upstairs, downstairs, next door… |
| Adverbs of manner (adverbs of manner of action) | How? | Else, too, quietly, loudly, noisily, easily, slow, bad… |
| Adverbs of degree (adverbs of degree and measure) | How? To what extent? | Almost, enough, very, extremely, rather, fairly… |
| Adverbs of frequency | How often? How? | Usually, occasionally, always, normally, rarely, hardly ever, sometimes, never… |
Degree of comparison of adverbs: rules and exceptions
If you have already studied degrees of comparison with adjectives, then it will be much easier for you to learn degrees of comparison of adverbs, since you already have the foundation. That's why let's do it So - first you will learn the topic of adjectives, and then take on adverbs. The fact is that the degree of comparison of an adverb is similar to the degree of comparison of an adjective, is formed in an almost identical way. In most cases, of course.
- Adverbs that end in -ly are formed in the following way =>
comparative degree: more (less) + base;
superlative: most (least) + base.
Amazingly => more amazingly => most amazingly:
Amazing => more amazing => most amazing.
- If the adverb is monosyllabic (adverbs of manner of action are often such in English), then degrees of comparison are formed using a method similar to adjectives =>
comparative degree: stem + er;
superlative: base + est.
Late => later => latest:
Late => late => latest.
High => higher => highest:
High => highest => highest.
Slow => slower => slowest:
Slow => slowest => slowest.
But!! There are English adverbs that are not formed according to the rules! It is impossible to explain, you just need to learn:
This table should be in the memory of everyone who wants to speak English correctly. It is recommended to review the table every day.
Comparative turnover.
Another area of use of the adverb. English speech impossible without their use. Comparative constructions enrich speech, making it brighter and more colorful. Structures that are comparative in nature contain adverbs. The most striking examples =>
- (Not) as/so + adverbs+as(He can cook dishes as well as his master does => He can cook dishes as well as his master).
- The + comparativeadverbs, the + comparativeadverbs. When it is necessary to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship and parallel actions, double turns are used with article the(The less you know, the more you are attractive in boy’s eyes => The less you know, the more attractive you are in the boy’s eyes).
- Comparative adverbs + and + comparative adverbs. A kind of doubling is observed quite often (She was trying (to cope with something) harder and harder => She tried (to cope with something) harder and harder).
The role of adverbs in a sentence
Where should adverbs appear in a sentence? Their place is determined by the words that surround them and the appearance (depending on the classification). Generally speaking, in most cases adverbs occur before a participle or adjective, BUT after the verb.
- Adverbs of time and place
Most often they are placed either at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Important! First we answer the question ‘’Where?’’, and only then – ‘’When?’’ => I will be working in the gatden tomorrow (Tomorrow I will work in the garden).
- Adverbs of manner
They must be placed either at the end of the sentence or after the semantic verb => We were trying very hard (We tried very hard).
- Introductory structures
If a word functions as an introductory structure, then it is located at the end or at the beginning of the sentence => Fortunately, we took umbrella (Fortunately, we took an umbrella).
- Adverbs of degree
They should be placed before the adjective or semantic verb, or after the auxiliary verb =>
- These guys were so handsome! (These guys were so attractive!)
- The Professor almost finished checking the essays (The Professor almost finished checking the essays).
- Adverbs of frequency
Take place before the semantic verb or between the auxiliary and semantic verbs =>
- He is always ready to say something interesting (He is always ready to say something interesting).
- My brother usually wakes up early in the morning (My brother usually wakes up early in the morning).
Let's sum it up
Knowing the ways of forming adverbs and the main nuances, you will be able to communicate with ease, choosing the right and most successful words. Remember that the English language has many exceptions to the rules, so these words need to be learned by heart. Remember: free communication is communication without the fear of saying something wrong. Be confident in your knowledge and communicate freely! Good luck and brilliant results!
Here you can find an adverb in the English language/English adverb/English Adverb.
ADVERB
In English, as in Russian, an adverb is a part of speech that denotes a sign of an action, state or quality.
According to their structure, adverbs are divided into:
1. Simple, consisting of only one root:
now - now
well - good
there - there
2. Derivatives, which include suffixes and prefixes:
orally - orally
indeed - indeed
uphill - uphill
3. Complex, consisting of several roots:
anyhow (any + how) - in any case, not at all
everywhere (every + where) - everywhere
4. Compounds consisting of several words:
by all means - required
for ever - forever
in a friendly way - friendly
as far as - as far as possible
According to their meaning, adverbs are divided into:
1. Adverbs of time (these include adverbs of definite and indefinite time):
today - today
soon - soon
since - since
already - already
never - never
2. Adverbs of manner:
slowly - slowly
often - often
3. Adverbs of place:
inside - inside
here - here
4. Adverbs of measure and degree:
much - a lot
very - very
5. Interrogative adverbs:
how - how
when - when
In a sentence, adverbs most often perform the function of adverbs:
It is never too late to learn. (circumstance of time)
It's never too late to learn.
DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADVERBS
Some adverbs of manner and time have comparative and superlative degrees of comparison.
Degrees of comparison of monosyllabic adverbs are formed in the same way as degrees of comparison of monosyllabic adjectives, i.e. by adding the suffix -er to the base of the adverb comparative degree and the suffix -est in the superlative degree:
late - late - later - latest
fast - faster - fastest
Degrees of comparison of polysyllabic adverbs are formed in the same way as degrees of comparison of polysyllabic adjectives, i.e. using the words more in the comparative degree and most in the superlative degree:
necessarily - necessary - more necessarily - most necessarily
carefully - carefully - more carefully - most carefully
From some adverbs, degrees of comparison are formed by changing the root vowel or stem of the word.
You need to remember them:
well - good better - better best - best
badly - bad worse - worse worst - worst of all
little - little less - less, less least - least of all
much - a lot more - more, more most - most, most of all
far - far further/ farther - further furthest/ farthest - farthest
An adverb is a part of speech that denotes an action expressed by a verb, or a property expressed by an adjective or other adverb. An adverb can also indicate the circumstances under which an action occurs. Adverb answers questions where? (Where?), when? (When?), and how? (How?, how much?) with different words: how long? (how long?), how fast? (how fast?), etc.
An adverb can be formed by adding a suffix to a noun or adjective -lу, for example: day (day) - dai ly(daily); quick (quick) - quick ly(fast).
- Some adverbs have the same form as adjectives. Among them are:
- having one form, for example: long - long, long; fast - fast, quickly; late - late, late; early - early, early;
- having two forms with the same value, for example: loud - loud, loudly and loudly - loudly; slow - slow, slowly and slowly - slowly;
- having two forms with different meaning, for example: late - late, late and lately - long ago; near - close, close and nearly - almost.
In English, as in Russian, there are different groups of adverbs - adverbs of time, place, etc.
- Adverbs of place
- here - here, here
- where - where, where
- there - there, there
- nowhere - nowhere
Example: My friend lives here (My friend lives here).
- Adverbs of time
- when - when
- today - today
- now - now
- yesterday - yesterday
- often - often
- tomorrow - tomorrow
- always - always
- usually - usually
Example: Doesn't usually go to bed at ten o'clock (He usually goes to bed at 10 o'clock).
- Adverbs of manner
- well - good
- easily - easy
- fast - quickly
- loudly - loudly
- quickly - quickly
- together - together
- slowly - slowly
- strongly - strongly
Example: My friend speaks English well (My friend speaks English well).
- Adverbs of measure and degree
- little - little
- very - very
- a lot - a lot
- too - too
- many - a lot
- quite - quite
- much - a lot
- enough - quite
Examples: Not reads a lot (He reads a lot); She eats too much (She eats too much).
Adverbs are often used as question words and are placed at the beginning of a question sentence. Questions that begin with question words (adverbs and pronouns) are called special questions.
English adverbs, like Russian ones, are unchangeable, but some of them form degrees of comparison; The methods of education are the same. There are different degrees: positive, comparative, excellent, for example: fast (fast) - faster (faster) - fastest (fastest).
The comparative degree is formed in monosyllabic adverbs using a suffix -er more (more, more). The superlative degree is formed in monosyllabic adverbs using a suffix -est, for polysyllabic ones - using an adverb most (most).
- The rules for adding suffixes are the same.
- soon - soon er— soon est
- early-early er— earli est(early - earlier - first of all)
- far - farth er— farth est(far - further - farthest)
- often — more often — most often (often - more often - most often)
- rarely — more rarely — most rarely (rarely - less often - least often)
- easily more easily most easily (easy - easier - easiest)
- Some adverbs form degrees of comparison in a special way: the positive degree has one root, and the comparative and superlative have another. There are few such cases:
- well - better - best(good - better - best)
- badly - worse - worst(bad - worse - worst of all)
- many - more - most(a lot: about number - more - most of all)
- much - more - most(a lot: about mass and volume - more - most of all)
- little - less - least(few: about quantity - less - least of all)
It is important to know! Don't be confused well(good) and good(good), badly(bad) and bad(bad); these are different parts of speech: well and badly are adverbs, and good and bad are adjectives. However, their degrees of comparison are the same.
In order to distinguish adverbs from adjectives in sentences, you need to remember: the adjective acts as a determiner (which? - good), and the adverb is a circumstance (how? - good). In English, a linking verb can be followed by an adjective, but not an adverb, for example: The weather is nice. Sometimes in Russian translation an adverb is used instead of an adjective, for example: It is bad.
Adverbs can occupy different places in a sentence.
Adverbs of time(tomorrow, today, yesterday, etc.) are placed at the very end or at the very beginning, before the subject. For example: I saw him yesterday (I saw him yesterday). Tomorrow he will come to us (Tomorrow he will come to us).
- Adverbs of frequency, expressing regularity and repeatability (often, never, always, already, sometimes, usually, etc.), occupy different places depending on the predicate:
- after a linking verb (be) in a compound nominal predicate (Present and Past Simple), for example: Not is never late (He is never late);
- right before the verb, if the predicate is a simple verb (Present and Past Simple), for example: Not often plays in the park (He often plays in the park);
- between the auxiliary and semantic verbs, if the predicate is a complex verb (Present Continuous), for example: She is always making tea (She always makes tea).
Adverbs of degree(very, quite, too) are usually placed before the word they refer to. For example: I am very glad to see you (I am very glad/glad to see you). This test is too easy.
It is important to know! Adverb too in the meaning “too, also” it is placed at the end of the sentence, for example: She will go to school too (She will also go to school). Adverb also has the same meaning, but it does not have a permanent place in the sentence, and it is subject to the rule that exists for adverbs of frequency, for example: She will also go to school.
When using this or that word, we rarely think about what part of speech it is.
Many students, if you ask them “What is an adverb?” they won’t immediately find an answer. Some simply do not have this information, others think that “an adverb is like an adjective, but in a different way,” someone “taught it at school, but forgot.” But during the analysis, everyone remembers, understands, recognizes and successfully uses adverbs in their speech.
As you read this article, you might be a little surprised that the words you actively use are adverbs.
The very name of the adverb in English ( adverb) tells us about its purpose: ad - add, verb - verb. Adverb is a part of speech that adds meaning to a verb. The adverb supplies us additional information about action, defining the verb: How? (How?), Where? (Where), When? (When ?), etc.
Functions of adverbs.
But, despite the fact that the main function of adverbs is to describe the verb, they can also define:
adjectives:
very noisy - very noisy.
terribly cold - terribly cold.
other adverbs:
too often - too often
very slowly - very slowly.
nouns:
enough money - enough money.
prepositional phrases:
He is particularly interested in physics. -He is especially interested in physics.
individual offers:
Surprisingly, they arrived on time. - Unexpectedly, they arrived on time.
Classification of adverbs by structure.
Adverbs can be in separate words(loudly, slowly) or phrases (in the morning, every day). For both types the term adverbials (circumstances) is used.
According to their structure, adverbs are:
simple consisting of only one part:
fast - quickly
here - here
then - then
derivatives formed using prefixes and suffixes:
badly - bad
otherwise - otherwise
today - today
complex consisting of several parts:
sometimes (some + times) - sometimes
afterwards (after + wards) - subsequently, later, later, after, then
nowhere (no +where) - nowhere; nowhere
composite consisting of several words:
so that - (in order) to
in order to - with a purpose, in order to
as to - in relation to
Classification of adverbs by meaning.
There is a misconception that adverbs always end in -ly and always answer the question How? (How?) This is incorrect, because there are several types of adverbs based on their meaning. What are the different meanings of adverbs?
The main types of adverbs are determined by functions which they perform in a sentence and on the issue to which they respond:
1. Adverbs of manner(Adverbs of manner). They answer the question: How? (How?)
He plays the piano well. - He plays the piano well.
She cried desperately. - She screamed desperately.
2. Adverbs of place(Adverbs of place). Answer questions Where? Where? (Where?)
We go abroad every year - We go abroad every year.
The woman heard a noise upstairs.
-
The woman heard a noise upstairs.
3. Adverbs of time(Adverbs of time). Answer the question: When? (When?)
I can come tomorrow. - I can come tomorrow.
What are you doing now? - What are you doing right now?
4. Adverbs of frequency(Adverbs of frequency). Answer the question: How/how often? (How often?)
They rarely eat out. - They rarely eat outside the home.
I have my English lessons twice a week. - I study English twice a week.
5. Adverbs of measure(Adverbs of degree). Answer the question: To what extent? (To what extent?)
She likes modern art very much. - She really loves modern art.
He spoke loudly enough for us to hear. - He spoke loudly enough for us to hear.
There are also adverbs that:
A) Strengthen adjectives, other adverbs or verbs (Intensifiers)
He is rather tall. - He's quite tall.
We get on really well. - We get along very well.
B) allocate single words (Focus adverbs):
Even the best student couldn’t answer the question. - Even the best student could not answer this question.
Only Ann knows how to help us. - Only Anne can help us.
B) indicate to the point of view and help to present information coherently (Viewpoint adverbs and connectives):
Luckily, they managed to catch the train. - Fortunately, they managed to board the train.
I overslept today. As a result I was late for work. - I overslept today. As a result, I was late for work.
Each type of adverb has its own characteristics and its place in the sentence; to learn more about them and use them correctly, we recommend following the publications on our website. Have fun learning!
An adverb (Adverb) denotes a sign of an action or describes the circumstances under which an action is performed:
My son is four. He can't already read well.
My son is four years old, but he already great is reading.
We can talk about two ways to classify adverbs - by function in a sentence and by type.
Functional use of English adverbs
In a sentence, an adverb expresses a circumstance. This part of speech belongs to the verb group, as opposed to adjectives, which describe nouns. An adverb can perform more than just functions that determine a verb.
1. Characteristics of the action.
This group includes adverbs, which are modifiers of a verb. In this category, the adverb follows the verb:
He is driving dangerously. - He drives the car dangerously.
We are eating quickly. - We eat quickly.
2. Characteristics of another adverb.
She arrived too late. - She arrived too late.
I love you very much. - I love you very much.
3. Characteristics of the attribute (adjective)
Maria is so beautiful. - Maria is so beautiful.
They are too clever for you. - They're too smart for you.
4. Adverb as a conjunction
Adverbs can act as a conjunction, combining coordinating or subordinating clauses.
I don't understand why he is so shy. “I don’t understand why he’s so shy.”
She didn't tell me when she would come back. - She didn't say when she'll be back.
Both sentences are subordinate clauses. We are again faced with a case of use when this part of speech is so natural in our communication that many do not suspect that it is an adverb. We offer you examples of combining independent proposals:
The weather was fine, so we went for a walk. - The weather was great, so I went for a walk.
I'm going to Paris next week, nevetheless I will be available by phone. Call me anytime. - I'm going to Paris next week, but I'll still be available by phone. Call any time.
5. As question words
English adverbs can act as question words in special questions. These are words like when, why, how, how much, where:
Where is my mind? - What was I thinking?
When will you finish the painting? - When will you finish the picture?
Classification of adverbs by type
1. Adverbs of time - now, then, yesterday, tomorrow, always, never, since, rarely, still, yet, not often, etc. Don't confuse an adverb with an adverb. The second is a member of a sentence, not a part of speech, and can be expressed by a noun with a preposition, for example on Monday, last Summer. This applies not only to adverbs of time, but to all adverbs and circumstances in general:
It doesn't work on Mondays.- noun with preposition
It doesn't work yet. - adverb
2. Adverbs of place - here, there, above, below, elsewhere, anywhere, inside, where, etc.
Where is he? - Where is he?
It's inside. - It's inside.
3. Adverbs of manner of action. These adverbs characterize the action and answer the question “how?” how?" A large number of representatives of this group are formed from adjectives by adding the suffix -ly - easily, beautifully, quickly, slowly, etc.
There are several exceptions. For example, adjective good- good, but good - well.
It's a good book./ good- an adjective that characterizes the noun book.
I can read well. / well- an adverb of manner of action that characterizes the verb: I read (how?) - well.
4. Adverbs of measure and degree - little, much, too, hardly, enough, very, almost, etc. This group of adverbs talks about the extent to which this or that action was performed.
I hardly know him. - I barely know him.
I'm almost ready. - I'm almost ready.
Adverb formation
According to the nature of formation, adverbs are divided into simple(originally adverbs) and derivatives. Most often, the second group grows from adjectives by adding suffix -ly:
beautiful - beautiful ly
slow-slow ly
nice - nice ly
Be careful: not all words are suffix -ly are adverbs. For example, lovely(cute, cute) - adjective. In such cases, you need to consider the function in the sentence. If a word ending in -ly characterizes a noun - a lovely bag, then we have an adjective. If it characterizes an action, we are dealing with an adverb:
Do it nicely. - Do it well.
Practice thoroughly |ˈθʌrəli| and have a lovely time!
Victoria Tetkina