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Adverbs in English are example sentences. Degrees of comparison of adverbs in English. Functional use of English adverbs

Hello my dear readers.

Adverbs in English language- quite an interesting phenomenon of speech, have you ever thought? Probably only in nouns there are as many exceptions. But don’t worry, today we will put everything on the shelves so neatly that there will be no doubt about it. correct use you will never have this part of speech. I will give you rules of use, show you the most commonly used words and even give you a list of them with translation.

What it is?

Adverbs are words that usually describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even a whole sentence.

Little understood? Well, let's figure it out.

These are small words that most often end in ly. For example, quick ly - fast . Most schoolchildren identify them by this ending. But don’t rely on this alone, because there are adverbs that you simply won’t recognize. For example, well- Fine .

In general, the rules of use can be described as follows:

  • Adverbs can describe how an action occurs:

They were driving slowly due to the traffic. -Frombehind traffic jams They were driving slowly.

We walked in carefully. - We carefully came in inside.

  • Can indicate place - adverbs of place:

There was his phone. - His phone was there.

I am absolutely sure you left your book somewhere in the library. -I absolutely sure, What You left book WhereThat V library.

  • They can even denote time - adverbs of time:

They are going to the countryside today. - They are going V village Today.

We are leaving for the meeting tomorrow. - We we're leaving on negotiation Tomorrow.

  • And they can even express frequency - so-called adverbs of frequency:

She visits her grandmother not often enough. -She not enough often visits grandma.

They usually go to the Caribbean twice a year.- They usually drive on Caribs twice V year.

The place in the sentence depends on the part of speech to which the adverb refers. For example:

Jane often goes to the swimming pool. — Jane often goes to the pool.(before verb)

He was driving very carefully. - He led car Very carefully. (after the verb)

Adverb formation

The question “how are adverbs formed” is a very interesting one, because everything here is not so simple. To make it easier for you to remember, I have a table for you, after which the formation of adverbs will no longer be a problem for you.

As I said, the beacon by which you can identify an adverb is the ending –ly. Adverb suffixes are constant in their use, so follow the detailed rule.

Rule Example
Adjective + - ly careful - careful ly, soft - soft ly
If the adjective ends in I agree+y - change to ily cos y-coz ily,heav y-heav ily
Adjectives on ic- added ally dramat ic- dramatic ally, drag ic- tragic ally BUT: public - public cly.
The adjective ends with le- change it to ly horrib le-horrib ly,probab le-probab ly
Adjectives on e- add ly scarc e- scarce ly BUT: whole - wholly, true - truly

They often take their roots from adjectives. Yes, it is education that makes them so simple. We simply add a suffix and voila - the adverb is ready.

Happy - happy -Happily - happily.

Cheap - cheap -Cheaply - cheap

Comfortable - comfortable -Comfortably - comfortable

But be very careful, because there are adjectives that add an ending ly can completely change their meaning. Let's look at examples.

Exceptions

Adverb Example
Easy- slow and soft Easily- no difficulties She was dancing easy . - She danced slowly. She won the competition easily . - She won the competition without difficulty.
Free- for free Freely- willingly You can enter the museum free if you have a loyalty card. - You can enter the museum for free if you have a loyalty card. She followed him freely . - She willingly followed him.
Hard- intensely, with effort Hardly- hardly He was working hard to get this promotion. - He worked hard to get that promotion. . There is hardly any sugar left. - There was hardly any sugar left.
High- high

Highly- very much

They were flying too high. - They were flying too high. He was a highly respected project manager.- He was a highly respected project manager.
Last- last Lastly- finally He was the last to know everything.- He was the last one to know about everything. Lastly they managed to hand in the project. - They were finally able to deliver the project.
Late- late Lately- recently He came home late at night.- He returned home late at night. He called me lately to know if I had his folder with contracts. - He called recently to see if I had his folder with contracts.
Near- near Nearly- almost There is a market near the house.- There is a market next to the house. Nearly all the employees signed the document.- Almost all employees signed the document .

Remember all the exceptions? Remember, because these are the ones you will meet in every test and exercise.

And yet, I promised you to divide everything into groups. Adverbs of time, adverbs of degree... - everything is in this table.

Types of adverbs

Place: There - there

Here - Here

Inside - inside

Above - above

Somewhere - somewhere
They moved somewhere . - They moved somewhere. She left her pursue inside the house. - She left her purse inside the house.
Time : Now - Now

Then - Then

Tomorrow - Tomorrow

Today - Today

Recently - recently

Never - never

Always - Always

Usually - usually

Seldom - rarely
We bought a new fridge recently . - We recently bought a new refrigerator .

She says she never tells lies. - She claims she never lies .

He usually leaves the work the last one. - He is usually the last one to leave work.
Measure and degree : Hardly - hardly

Much - a lot of

Little - few

Enough - enough

Too - too much
The teacher said that there were not enough arguments in my essay.- The teacher said that my essay did not have enough arguments.
Modus operandi: Well - Fine Fast - fast He was running fast to become the first in the competition. - He ran fast to be first in the competition.

Of course, it is simply impossible to fit everything I know about this part of speech into one lesson. That's why I've prepared a whole series of lessons for you. In other articles you can read about, and even to consolidate your knowledge.

Yes, my dears, adverbs are not the most difficult section, but it’s still worth paying attention to. Using them will make your speech incredibly lively, and sentences with adverbs will add depth to your written speech. So don't neglect them.

Well, my dears, it's time to say goodbye. Remember that to learn a language quickly and effectively, you just need to subscribe to the blog's newsletter. I regularly share with blog subscribers useful materials and advice from personal experience. Stay up to date with events.

That's all for today.

Until we meet again, my dears.

Even those who claim that the English language is difficult cannot help but agree that the adverbs in the English language are incredibly easy to understand. They are simple to build, and there are very few exceptions to the rules.

You cannot begin to explain the construction of adverbs without understanding what they are all about. It is not difficult for us, Russian-speaking people, to learn to use this part of speech, primarily because the Russian language already has similar words that are built on the same principle.

If we turn to the Russian dialect, then it means a sign of the action of an object, its quality and condition. It answers the following questions: How? When? Why? How many? Where? Where? how long? An adverb can refer to an adjective and even another adverb, describing their characteristics. In a word, this part of speech is very capacious, without it the Russian language would be significantly impoverished.

English adverbs

Using adverbs is not a very difficult task, because we cope with it very well in our native speech. Adverbs in the English language are not fundamentally different from their Russian “brothers”, so their assimilation is very accessible and does not require much effort.

All adverbs in the English language are divided into three main groups, namely: simple (consisting of one word that just needs to be learned, like any other English), complex and derivative. Let's take a closer look at them.

Types of adverbs in English

  • Simple adverbs that are represented in one word, and no endings or suffixes need to be added to them, for example: often, now, never.
  • Derived adverbs, or adverbs formed by adding a suffix or ending. Such suffixes are: ly, ward(s), like. For example, cold+ly - coldly - cold, slow+ly - slowly - slowly. Examples of the use of other suffixes are as follows: backwards - back, clockwise - clockwise.
  • Complex adverbs consisting of two words that are written either separately or together. For example, sometimes - sometimes, everywhere - everywhere, everybody - everyone, everyone, forever - forever.

After studying the table, you will understand that there is nothing simpler than adverbs in the English language! The table is presented below.

Exceptions

Words that strongly resemble adverbs still exist in the English language. However, there are not many of them, and they are not difficult to remember.

For example, the word hardly very similar to an adverb, although in fact in translation it means “barely”, whereas the word hard is a simple adverb and is translated as “diligently.”

There are also a number of words that look just like adjectives, but are actually adverbs. Among these words are the following: friendly - friendly, silly - stupid, lovely - cute, olderly - elderly.

A completely logical question arises: how not to get confused and start using an adverb instead of an adjective in speech and vice versa?

In fact, everything is very simple: you just need to remember that in English everything is very clear, and every word has its place in a sentence. If the word causing doubt comes before a noun, it is an adjective; if it comes before a verb, then it is an adverb. For a clearer understanding, here are some examples:

They are so freindly people! - They are such friendly people! In this case, a noun is described, which means friendly- is an adjective.

He is driving very quickly - He drives the car very quickly. In this example quickly characterizes a verb, being, in turn, an adverb.

Adverb as an adverb

Adverbs can be divided not only according to their structure, but also according to the type of circumstance by which they are expressed.

  • Temporal adverbs express temporal characteristics, for example: now - now, now, rarely. Adverbs of time in English are responsible for time indicators and are a very important part of speech.
  • Adverbs indicating location: behind - behind, there - there, here - here.
  • Adverbs that characterize how an action occurs: loadly - loud, sadly - sad, quietly - quiet.
  • Adverbs characterizing quantity and degree: little - little, quite - quite.

Without such words, speech would look poor and meager, but, fortunately, they exist and greatly decorate the English language!

Matching adverbs and adjectives

Very often, adverbs are completely similar to adjectives, differing only in their place in the sentence, which helps to determine what is in front of us in this case.

For example, cheap- is both an adjective (“cheap”) and an adverb (“cheap”).

Let's look at examples:

  • This car was very cheap. - This car was very cheap. In this case cheap refers to a noun, respectively, being an adjective.
  • I have eaten very cheap - I ate very cheap. In this sentence, cheap characterizes an action and is an adverb.

Comparing adverbs

It turns out that English adverbs can also be compared, like adjectives.

The principle of operation is the same, namely: there are the same two degrees of comparison - comparative and superlative, which are formed in exactly the same way as in the case of adjectives. Isn't this a gift?

  • The comparative degree can be obtained by adding the ending -er to the adverb if the word is simple. For example, hard+-er - harder. And of course, an example of use in a sentence: You should study harder and harder to learn French. - To learn French, you have to study harder and harder. If the adverb is long, then it is added more. For example: You look more happily than yesterday. -You look happier than yesterday.
  • formed by analogy with the same degree as adjectives, namely by adding the ending -est for short words and most- for long ones. For example: he has run the fastest - He ran the fastest. Just don’t forget about the definite article the! Its presence is mandatory before the excellent
  • However, even here there are exceptions. Let's look at them in table form:

As can be seen from the table, all exceptions almost exactly repeat the exceptions

Adverbs in the English language can and should be memorized and used for better assimilation.

Shall we practice? Yes, this is simply necessary! In order, write the degrees of comparison for the following adverbs:

  1. slowly;
  2. easily;
  3. perfectly;
  4. little;
  5. fast.

No doubt you did great. Congratulations! Using adverbs in English should no longer cause difficulties, for which you can be congratulated!

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 meaning, 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 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 by 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 permanent place it does not have a sentence, and it is subject to the rule that exists for adverbs of frequency, for example: She will also go to school.

Adverb (Adverb) refers to independent parts of speech, that is, independent. Let's take a closer look at this part of speech.

Let's get down to business!

What is an English adverb?

Adverb ( adverb) is an independent and independent part of speech, indicating a sign of an action or the various circumstances under which the action takes place.

The main questions of an adverb are: “how?” - " how?", "how?" - " in what way?", "Where?" - " where?", "Why? - " why?", "When?" - " when?", "in what degree?" - " to what degree

After reading this article, consolidate your knowledge of adverbs on the TOP 100 adverbs simulator in the English language.

All adverbs in English can be divided into two categories: by form and by meaning. The forms of adverbs are:

  • simple ( simple): “now”, “today” etc. (now, today, etc.);
  • derivatives ( derived). They are formed from qualitative adjectives, to which the suffix “-ly” is added: “usual” - “usually” (usual - usually);
  • complex ( compound): "sometimes" (sometimes);
  • compound ( composite): “at least” (finally).

According to their meaning, adverbs are divided into groups.

Table of groups of adverbs in English
Group Which question does it answer? Adverbs Example
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner
How?
How?
slowly
readily
fast
quickly
carefully
He eats slowly. He eats slowly.
She helped me readily. She helped me willingly.
Batman drives his car fast. Batman drives his car quickly.
Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place
Where?
Where?
there
at home
everywhere
outside
Granny told me to sit there. Grandma told me to sit there.
I have looked for my cat everywhere. I looked everywhere for my cat.
I left my car outside the yard I left my car outside.
Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time
When?
When?
yesterday
now
today
tomorrow
He called me yesterday. He called me yesterday.
She is reading newspaper now. She is reading a newspaper now.
They will meet tomorrow morning. They will meet tomorrow morning.
Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of frequency
How often?
How often?
rarely
once
always
often
never
sometimes
I visit him daily. I visit him daily.
We rarely go to the theatre. We rarely go to the theater.
I often visit my family in another city. I often visit my family in another city.
Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree
How much?
How much?
To what degree?
To what extent?
rather
a bit
very
quite
I entirely agree with you. I completely agree with you.
Laura is very beautiful. Laura is very beautiful.
The film was quite interesting. The film was quite interesting.

How and when adverbs are used

Adverbs can give characteristics:

  • actions: He is running quickly. - He runs fast.
  • sign: She is very witty. - She is very witty.
  • another adverbs: It's too late. - Too late.
  • entire offer: Honestly, we did a great job. - Honestly, we did a great job.

In addition, adverbs in English can connect separate sentences. Such adverbs include the words: “ therefore», « then», « however», « nevertheless», « still», « yet», « besides», « moreover», « otherwise», « else" Or even whole sentences (subordinate and main clauses as part of a complex: “ when», « where», « how», « why».

For example:

It was very difficult to start my own business. I continued nevertheless and never looked back.- Starting your own business was very difficult. However, I continued and never looked back.
I don’t care why you are late again.“I don’t care why you were late again.”

Adverbs “when”, “where”, “why”, “how” can serve as a question word:

Where is that boy?-Where is this boy?
When did you come?- When did you arrive?

Adverbs can reflect the speaker’s personal attitude to the topic of conversation, in which case they are called “adverbs of point of view” ( viewpoint adverb).

Foolishly, I agreed to help him.- Out of stupidity, I agreed to help him.
Clearly, he is mistaken.- Obviously, he is mistaken.
Actually, I share your opinion.- In general, I share your point of view.

Formation of adverbs in English

In English, most adverbs in English are formed by adding the ending “- ly" For example: "lone" - " lonely"(lonely - lonely), "slow" - " slowly"(slow - slowly)

Please pay attention to some nuances:

If the word ends with "- y", then we change "-y" to "- i" and also add the ending "- ly" As a result, we get the ending “- ily" For example: "easy" - " easily"(easy - easy), "happy" - " happily"(happy - happily).

If a word ends in "-le", then "-le" is simply replaced with "-ly".
For example: "simple" - " simply"(simple - simple), "able" - " ably"(skillful - skillfully).

Exception words to the rules. Usually these are adverbs that answer the questions: “ When?», « Where?», « How many?. For example: " late" - "late", " little" - "A little", " well" - "Fine", " far" - "far", " fast" - "fast".

Be careful, and if you are in doubt about a word, you can always check yourself by opening a dictionary.

Place of an adverb in an English sentence

The place of adverbs in sentences depends on the words that surround this adverb and directly on its classification:

  • Adverbs of manner ( adverbs of manner) are located before the main verb, after auxiliary verb or at the end of a sentence.
He opened the door quietly. / He quietly opened the door. - He quietly opened the door.
She is greatly respected by other colleagues. - She is very respected by her colleagues.
  • Adverbs of degree ( adverbs of degree) will come before an adjective, adverb or main verb, but after an auxiliary verb. Such adverbs include: “ absolutely», « completely», « totally», « very», « quite», « rather", etc.
She is extremely beautiful. - She is incredibly beautiful.
We almost finished this project. - We are almost finished with this project.
  • Adverbs of frequency ( adverbs of frequency) is usually placed before the main verb, but after auxiliary verbs, including “to be”. These are adverbs such as " always», « often», « usually», « rarely», « rarely».
I am always pleased to see you.- I'm always glad to see you.
He has always been cruel to her.- He was always cruel to her.
  • If we are talking about adverbs of place and time ( adverbs of place and time), then their usual location is at the end or beginning of a sentence. If a sentence contains both adverbs of place and time, the adverb of place comes first. We place some monosyllabic words (soon, now, then) before the main verb, or after auxiliary ones (including “to be”).
I will call you tomorrow.- I'll call you tomorrow.
There is a supermarket nearby.- There is a supermarket nearby.
I will soon let you know whether I want to move or not.- I will let you know soon whether I want to move or not.
  • An adverb that defines the entire sentence is usually placed at the beginning or end of the sentence.
Unfortunately, I failed to cope with this work.- Unfortunately, I couldn’t cope with this job.
I will be at work at 8 a.m. probably.- I'll probably be at work by eight in the morning.

What to do if there are two or more adverbs in a sentence? We arrange them according to this scheme: adverb of manner - adverb of place- adverb of time.

She has been reading a book intensely in her bed all day long.- All day she read carefully in her bed.
  • And if the sentence contains one of verbs of motion (go, come, leave, etc.)? In this case, the order will be like this: adverb of place - adverb of manner - adverb of time.
I was going there quickly yesterday.- I walked quickly there yesterday.

Flat adverbs

« Flat adverbs", they are " bare adverbs" or adverbs without grammatical indicator- these are adverbs whose form coincides with the corresponding adjectives. Some of them: " far», « fast», « fine», « hard», « high», « long», « low», « near», « quick», « slow», « straight"etc.

Let's look at the most common examples:

  • Far(far). This is an adverb doesn't have forms " -ly».
You will go far in your career.- You will go far in your career.
  • Fast(fast). Another adverb without the usual equivalent with “-ly”: drive fast(drive quickly).
  • Flat(evenly, decisively). Both forms are similar, but distinct:
I was turned down flat.- I was categorically refused.
I was flatly refused.- I was categorically refused.
  • Hard(strongly, firmly). This adverb and its form “-ly” have completely different meanings:
He hit him hard.- He hit him hard.
He hardly hit him.- He barely hit him.
  • Kind(gently, kindly). "Kind" and "kindly" have slightly different meanings:
Be kind. - Be kind/kind.
Think kindly of them.- Think kindly of them.
  • Quick(fast). This adverb is interchangeable with its “-ly” form: “come quick” and “come quickly” mean the same thing (come soon).
  • Smart(quickly, deftly). It is shaped with "-ly". The meanings of the shapes are slightly different.
Kids like to play smart now and choose transformers.- Today, children love to play wisely and choose transformers.
He loves dressing smartly.- He likes to dress elegantly.
  • Slow(slowly). “Slow” and “slowly” are interchangeable: “drive slow” and “drive slowly” mean the same thing.

Degrees of comparison of adverbs in English

Depending on what we are comparing, we can distinguish 2 degrees of comparison:

1. Comparative- compare objects by common feature. For example: He jumps higher than his sister.

2. Excellent— we compare objects in order to identify the object with the most pronounced feature. For example: He jumps the highest.

To form comparative And excellent degree of comparison for adverbs with the suffix “- ly", necessary add words « more» ( less) or " most» ( least), which are translated as more/less and most/least, to the positive degree of a given word. For example: openly -more/ less openly - most/ least openly (open - more / less open - most / least open).

Monosyllabic adverbs like " fast», « soon" etc. form degrees of comparison, like their corresponding adjectives, that is, using the suffixes “- er» / «- est»:
soon - sooner - soonest(soon).

In a particular number of adverbs in general no degree comparisons. These include " before», « here», « very" and others.

And there is also a group of formation of adverbs in the English language, which are an exception, since they do not form degrees of comparison according to the rules. They need to be learned:

  • far - farther - farthest(far);
  • far - further - furthest(far);
  • badly - worse - worst(Badly);
  • little - less - least(few);
  • much - more - most(a lot of);
  • well - better - best(Fine).

Conclusion

Adverbs in English are independent and independent parts of speech that determine the nature of the action. According to their form they are divided into 4 groups: simple, derivatives, complex And composite. By value they are divided into: adverbs of image actions, adverbs of place, adverbs of time in English, adverbs of frequency in English And adverbs of degree. Adverbs are formed by adding the suffix " -ly” to an adjective, but there are also forms that need to be remembered. Adverbs can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence, and have comparative and superlative degrees of comparison, just like adjectives.

We hope this article has cleared all your doubts on this topic. Good luck in your studies and your clear English.

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

An adverb is a part of speech that determines when, where and how an action is performed. A special feature of this part of speech is that it is capable of conveying the characteristics of an adjective or other adverb. It is also important to remember that adverbs in English play the role of circumstances. Let's look at the formation of adverbs, give vivid examples and exceptions to the rules where they are placed in a sentence, and also consider degrees of comparison.

Beginning students who have just decided to study languages ​​will find it easy to master this topic, since the adverb in English performs the same functions as in Russian and is often placed in an identical position. Therefore, the language barrier will be overcome quickly and easily.

The most frequently used types of adverbs in the tables =>

Adverbs of place WHERE (ADVERBS OF PLACE)

Adverbs of time WHEN (ADVERBS OF TIME)

late late
soon soon
early early
Then then
Today today
Now now

On a note! When, where and why are relative adverbs. Tenses are used in any speech - business, colloquial, artistic and specialized. Relative words can easily and simply explain any situation.

Adverbs of manner HOW (ADVERBS OF MANNER)

Adverbs of measure and degree TO WHAT EXTENT (ADVERBS OF DEGREE)

If you find it difficult to learn the words themselves and understand the adverbs and rules that the table indicates, use them in sentences. It is always easier to learn rules of all kinds using examples.

Here are some examples:

The girl faced the difficult situation very bravely=> The girl faced a difficult situation very bravely. The adverb answers the question How? How?

My mom came home late because she didn’t manage to catch the bus => Mom came home late (when mom came home, time it was later) because I couldn’t catch the bus. The adverb answers the question When? When?

The Professor explained the theory three times and extremely patiently => The professor explained the theory three times and Very patiently. The adverb answers the question To what extent? To what extent?

These yummy mushrooms were everywhere=> These delicious mushrooms were everywhere (everywhere). The adverb answers the question Where? Where?

Rules for forming adverbs in English

All the adverbs that the English language is rich in are divided into 4 categories =>

  1. Simple Adverbs
  2. Composite Phrasal Adverbs
  3. Compound Adverbs
  4. Derived Adverbs.

By Simple Adverbs we mean using simple words => here, well, now, after, soon etc.

Derived Adverbs are formed using the suffix -ly and other suffixes (we'll look at this in more detail later).

Compound Adverbs are formed by combining two words, for example, downstairs, sometimes, everywhere, furthermore, anyway, thereafter, otherwise etc.

Composite Phrasal Adverbs are phrasal adverbs. The most striking examples => now and then, a lot of, far enough, a great deal, a little bit, hell of etc.

On a note! In most cases, an adverb is formed from an adjective by adding -ly => luckily, easily, happily, gaily, loudly etc.

Rules for composing adverbs with the particle -ly

Adjectives that end in -y become -I => when forming an adverb.

Busy+ly => busily (busily)

Happy+ly => happily (happily)

Gay+ly => gaily (fun)

Lucky+ly => luckily (successfully)

Easy+ly => easily (easy).

But! If the adjective has an ending -e, then simply put -ly =>

Nice+ly => nicely.

Attention! Remember that there will always be exceptions with the suffix -ly =>

True => truly

Be aware of exceptions and do not make mistakes in writing.

Many people ask what to do with words that end in -le? In this case, change -le to -ly =>

gentle => gently

simple => simply.

An exception is the word whole, in which -le ​​is changed to -ly + the letter l is placed. It looks like this => whole => wholly.

When adjectives end in l, it must be doubled. As a result we get lly =>

Beautiful+ly => beautifully

Typical+ly => typically

Loyal+ly => loyally.

Important! When adjectives end in -ic, adverbs end in -ally =>

Heroic+ly => heroically

Historic+ly => histirically.

Although the process of forming adverbs has its own nuances, there will always be exceptions. In addition to the standard formation with -ly, other adverb suffixes can be used =>

Most => outermost, innermost

Like => warlike, godlike, egglike, snakelike, businesslike

Wise -> crabwise, clockwise, crosswise, lengthwise

Ward(s) => onward(s), eastward(s), backward(s)

Fold => manifold, twofold

Way(s) => sideways, longways.

From the examples it is clear that most adverbs are formed from adjectives, but there are also those that are formed from nouns:

Year => yearly (annually)

Month => monthly (monthly)

Week => weekly (weekly)

Hour => hourly (hourly)

Day => daily (daily).

Remember the following adjectives that end in -ly, but do not form adverbs =>ugly, friendly, lonely, silly, lovely, cowardly.

These adjectives, which have the meaning of adverbs, are used in the construction in a ... way/ manner/fashion =>

The language is rich in inconsistencies and exceptions to the rules. This includes adverbs that have a similar form to adjectives; they are practically the same type =>

How to distinguish such identical adjectives from adverbs? Only according to the function performed in the sentence. In simple terms, only in context can you 100% understand what the author wanted to say with this or that word.

Adverbs with two forms

An interesting group of adverbs in the English language. Such adverbs are characterized by the presence of two unequal forms that differ in meaning. To use them correctly, it is highly recommended to learn the examples from the table:

Direct Endless

Immediately, directly

Close Close

Detailed/careful

Free For free

Free

Easy Lightly/gently

Easily

Hard Difficult
Wrong Wrong

Wrongfully

Wide Wide

Everywhere

Short Suddenly
Sharp Sharp, smooth

Evil, caustic (figuratively)

Near Near/next to
Sure Really

Definitely/of course

Late Late

Recently/recently

Last Last, last

In the end

Pretty To a large extent
High High (literally)

Extremely => very (good)

Full Quite/very

Fully

Fine Excellent/wonderful

Delicately

Deep Deep (literally)

Deep = very (figuratively).

These words are included in the TOP 100 English adverbs that are used almost every day in colloquial speech.

To make it easier to understand the material in the table, we give several examples (whole sentences) with the above words in different orders:

  • A bird is flying high in the sky => A bird flies high in the sky.

People, living here, are highly cultured and polite => People who live here are highly cultured and polite.

  • Sharks can be seen deep in the sea => Sharks can be seen deep in the sea.

My friend is deeply in love with my sister => My friend is very much in love with my sister.

  • He will come the last. Hope he will not forget to take presents => He will come last. I hope he doesn't forget to take the gifts.

Lastly we see the light and hope there will be some people => Lastly we see the light, we hope that there will be people there.

  • I saw a strange man near the house => I saw a strange man near (near) the house.

Your answer is nearly correct => Your answer is almost correct.

  • I have never seen my son late at night at this place => I have never seen my son late at night in this place.

I have never been so happy lately => I have never been so happy lately.

Adverbs performing a syntactic function

An adverb can perform different functions:

  • Characterize the action =>

It is amazing! – Helen said passionately=> This is wonderful! – Helen said passionately.

  • Characterize the sign =>

Children were too exhausted => The Dati were too exhausted.

  • Describe another adverb =>

Maria has done everything very quickly => Maria did everything very quickly.

  • Describe the entire proposal =>

Fortunately, we were lucky guys to cope with everuthing on our own => Fortunately, we were lucky to cope with everything on our own.

It is important to note that there is a group of adverbs that are actively used with other adjectives and adverbs, making speech more detailed and understandable. Here we include => most, rather, so, awfully, terribly, amazingly, highly, very, unusually, absolutely, unbelievably, strikingly, extremely. It is important to adhere to the correct word order. Words in an indefinite order may lose their essence and stylistic coloring.

By using these adverbs, you can briefly and clearly express your thoughts and express delight/disgust in all colors =>

It's terribly hot! - Incredibly hot!

It's unbelievably amazing! - Incredibly wonderful!

I highly appreciate your words! – I highly appreciate your words!

Remember the following expressions and study this table =>

Knowing the exact place of an adverb in an English sentence, you will be able to communicate easily and comfortably, correctly expressing your thoughts.

We must also remember that there are adverbs whose additional function is to enhance the degree of comparison of adjectives. These include words such as far, still, any, much.

We must not speak any louder => We must not speak louder.

We could get to this place far later => We could get to this place much later.

You could cope with everything much better => We could cope with everything much better.

Very often an adverb serves as an adverbial modifier of time, degree, manner of action or place =>

I quite understood all the details => I practically understood all the details (adverbial modifier of degree)

Tina shouted aloud => Tina shouted loudly (adverbial modifier of manner).

On a note! In the meanings indicated above, you need to use an adjective (not an adverb!) if it comes after the following words => look (look), feel (feel), become (become), be (be), seem (appear), taste ( to taste), stay (stay), sound (sound), smell (smell).

Your sister looks amazing! (not amazingly)

It seems they really feel good (not well).

Use of adverbs: exceptional cases

No matter how strange it may sound, there are a number of adverbs (they can even be separated into a separate group) that have their own rules of use. Let's look at some cases in sentences.

If we are talking about adverbs also , as well And too(all three words are translated as ‘’too’’), then you need to remember that they are used exclusively in affirmative sentences. An adverb such as also comes before the word to which it refers, and as well and too are usually placed at the end of sentences.

I didn't want to see him too=> I didn't want to see him either.

We were absent as well=> We were not present either.

Mary also agreed with her mom => Mary also agreed with her mother.

Adverb even in most cases it is used in speech with the conjunctions though and if. In this way, the combinations even though (though) and even if (even if) are formed.

She came to that place even though she was asked not to do this => She came to this place, although she was asked not to do this.

I will never tell you the truth even if I knew => I would never tell you the truth even if I knew.

When it comes to the adverb else, it is preferable to put it in interrogative sentences. Remember the following constructions => what else (what else), who else (who else), where else (where else). In English grammar, the adverb what else/who else/where else often begins a sentence.

Who else wanted to leave this place? => Who else wanted to leave this place?

What else do we need to stay there for one more day? => What else do we need to stay here another day?

Where else should we go to see the rest of the lakes? => Where else should we go to see the rest of the lakes?

Simple adverb enough also has its own peculiarities of use =>

If an adverb performs the function of an adjective and defines a noun, then it must be placed before the word it defines =>

Our neighbors won enough money to buy their own island (Our neighbors won enough money to buy their own island).

But! When enough defines an adverb or adjective, it must be placed after the word that is defined =>

Andry is clever enough to answer correctly (Andrew is smart enough to answer correctly).

Adverbs in a sentence: choosing the right place

In a sentence, such words can occupy different place. This is explained by what part of speech the adverb explains.

If we are talking about adverbs of degree and of manner, then such words, in most cases, are located next to the word they explain =>

Ann smiles sincerely => Anna smiles sincerely.

Helen cooks good => Helen cooks well.

But! If we want to emphasize a word, then the place of the adverb can change. We put it next to the word we want to emphasize =>

Only good does Helen cook! => Helen cooks only well!

Pay attention to the adverbs of frequency in English (seldom, rarely, never, always, sometimes, often, usually). Adverbs of frequency should be placed between the auxiliary and main verbs.

I never wake up at 5 o’clock => I never wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning.

My sister sometimes visits her brothers => My sister sometimes visits her brothers.

Do they usually get up late? => Do they usually wake up late?

Adverbs of indefinite time (usually, never, rarely, often) are widely used in fiction. Words of indefinite tense in English help make speech more emotionally charged and more “alive”.

If we talk about the most mobile adverbs, then they include adverbs of place and time, excluding frequency. It is appropriate to put such words in different parts sentences, in different places =>

My friends will be here tomorrow/ Tomorrow my friends will be here => My friends will be here tomorrow/ Tomorrow my friends will be here.

Adverbs of time in English help to place emphasis on a specific word/place, and therefore on the desired event. Therefore, the classical word order may be violated.

Degrees of comparison of adverbs in English

Adverbs form a degree of comparison. The comparative degree is formed using the suffixes -er and -est. For better understanding Let's explain the rule with examples when you need to compare something =>

Maria reads slow => Maria reads slowly.

Maria reads slower than me => Maria reads slower than me.

Maria reads the slowest in the group => Maria reads the slowest in the group.

The same applies, for example, to the word fast => fast-faster-fastest.

But! If the adverb is polysyllabic or formed with -ly, then it is appropriate to use the words more and most =>

Wisely – more wisely – most wisely.

Important! Be aware of English comparative exceptions! The words loudly, early, slowly and quickly do not apply to the above rule and are exceptions in the comparison table =>

Loudly – ​​louder – loudest

Early – earlier – earliest.

Degrees of comparison of adverbs in the English language of the words quickly and slowly can be formed in two ways =>

Quicker/more quickly – quickest/most quickly

Slower/more slowly – slowest/most slowly.

We must also remember about adverbs that do not form a degree of comparison in a standard way. Such words are exceptions in degrees and need to be memorized =>

Little – less – least

Much – more – most

Badly – ​​worse – worst

Far – farther/further – farthest/furthest

Well – better – best.

And further. Do not forget that in English there are adverbs that do not have degrees of comparison => optimally, somehow, thus, somewhere, here, when, sometimes.

Such words need to be memorized and constantly repeated in memory so that your speech is correct and beautiful. And one more thing - you should always keep the comparison table in your head. It's like two and two.

Let's sum it up

English adverbs are different, as are the methods of their formation and their place in a sentence. Vivid examples are exceptions to the rules that need to be learned and repeated regularly. Knowing a lot of words and practicing them daily in conversation, you will quickly learn the peculiarities of constructing an English sentence and choose the right words. And knowing as many adverbs in English as possible will make your speech colorful and interesting.

Do exercises on adverbs even when you start studying another topic. And be sure to do each exercise with translation , and if necessary, then with transcription (you will find a list of exercises on our website). This will help you learn all the possible meanings of a word in context and learn how to pronounce them correctly. High-quality English pronunciation – important element successful language learning. With good English pronunciation you will feel much more confident. Fact!

Our advice! Transcription will help you get the right British accent! Be sure to listen to the pronunciation and repeat it every day.