Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Blackpool
Adverbs
In general adverbs add meaning or information to the action, quality or state denoted by a verb, hence the name. Adverbs of degree can modify an adjective or another adverb.
There are 5 main types of adverbs:
Manner e.g. well, hard, slowly, quickly
Place e.g. above, up, here, there
Time e.g. now, then soon, recently
Degree e.g. very, much, really, quite
Frequency e.g. once, twice, sometimes, always
Other notable types:
Comment/Attitude e.g. actually, perhaps, surely, wisely
Linking e.g. firstly
Viewpoint e.g. mentally, morally, officially
Adding/Limiting e.g. also, either, else, only, too
Where do adverbs go in a sentence?
There are 3 types of position. Let’s call these Front, Middle, and End. But for each type of adverb one position is most common.
|
Type of Adverb |
Position |
Example |
|
Linking |
Front |
Finally, I’m settled here, I’m not leaving! |
|
Comment/Attitude |
Front |
Fortunately everyone else has drunk too much! |
|
Viewpoint |
Front |
Unofficially everyone smokes hash! |
|
Adding/limiting |
Middle |
She also makes a good cup of tea |
|
Frequency |
Middle |
They always forget to lock the door. |
|
Time |
End |
I’ll see you tomorrow. |
|
Place |
End |
Shall I drive you home? |
|
Manner |
End |
She dances gracefully. |
|
Degree |
End |
He prepared his speech thoroughly. |
Spelling of adverbs
Most are simply formed by adding ly to an adjective:
Slow – slowly quick – quickly honest – honestly
As ever, there are exceptions:
Tidy – tidily fast – fast (no change)