An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
- Adverbs answer the questions when, where, how, and to what extent (how much or how long).
when: Yesterday we went to the beach.
where: They saw the children there.
how: The car ran fast.
how much: We mostly agree with you.
- They also confirm that something was or was not done.
positive: He certainly does feel that way.
negative: You should not be late for class.
- From adjective to adverb:
adj. + ly : quickly.
adj. ended in consonant + y: sleepy — -ily sleepily.
adj. ended in –ic: -ally tragic — tragically.
adj. ended in –le: drop –e and add –y: agreeable — agreeably.
adj. ended in –e: +ly. falsely. (exceptions: wholly and truly).
adj. ended in –ly: adverb with …manner / way. in a lively manner.
- Adjectives and adverbs with the same form:
best, better, big, cheap, clean, clear, close, cold, daily, dead, deep, direct, dirty, early, easy, far, fast, free, further, hard, high, hourly, inside, kindly, last, late, long, low, monthly, right, slow, straight, sure, thick, tight, weekly, well, wide, wrong, yearly…
- Adverbs that can either keep the adjective form or add –ly:
cheap, clean, clear, close, dear, fine, quick, quiet, thin.
- POSITION OF ADVERBS
Adverbs of Frequency:
*SUBJECT + ADVERB + VERB + COMPLEMENTS
I never catch the bus at 10:00.
*SUBJECT + AUXILIARY VERB + ADVERB + VERB + COMPLEMENTS
I have always get up at 8:00
*SUBJECT + TO BE + ADVERB + COMPLEMENTS
I was still asleep when my mother called me.
Several Adverbs:
*Adverbs are organized following two possible structures:
Time + Manner + Place: TMP
Ex. Yesterday I carefully read the text at home.
Manner + Place + Time: MPL
Ex. I carefully read the text at home yesterday.