adverbs

An adverb of manner says how someone does something. Most are an adjective with -ly: slow – slowly, quiet – quietly, careful – carefully.

Adjective or adverb

An adjective describes a person or thing. An adverb describes an action.

After be, look, feel, sound, taste and smell, use the adjective.

Spelling

• Most adjectives add -ly: quick – quickly, bad – badly.
• -y becomes -ily: easy – easily, happy – happily.
• -le becomes -ly: gentle – gently, terrible – terribly.
• -ic adds -ally: basic – basically.

Well, fast, hard, late, early

The adverb of good is well. Fast, hard, late and early are the same as the adjective.

Hardly and lately are different words. Hardly means "almost not", and lately means "recently".

Where it goes

The adverb goes after the verb, or after the object if there is one. It doesn't go between the verb and the object.

Adjectives ending in -ly

Friendly, lovely and lonely are adjectives. For an action, say in a friendly way.

Common mistakes

• × He drives careful. → He drives carefully.
• × She speaks English very good. → She speaks English very well.
• × I work hardly. → I work hard.
• × He speaks well English. → He speaks English well.