Adverbs are one of the
eight parts of speech and are used to modify verbs. They
can describe how, when, where, and how often something is done. Here is a guide
to the five types of adverbs.
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner provide information on how someone does something.
Adverbs of manner are most often used with action verbs. Adverbs of manner
include: slowly, fast, carefully, carelessly, effortlessly, urgently, etc. Adverbs of
manner can be placed at the end of sentences or directly before or after the verb.
Examples
Jack drives very carefully.
He won the tennis match effortlessly.
She slowly opened the present.
Adverbs of Time and Frequency
Adverbs of time provide information on when something happens. Adverbs of
time can express a specific time such as in two days, yesterday, three weeks ago,
etc. Adverbs of time are usually placed at the end of sentences, though they
sometimes begin a sentence.
Examples
We'll let you know our decision next week.
I flew to Dallas three weeks ago.
Yesterday, I received a letter from my friend in Belfast.
Adverbs of frequency are similar to adverbs of time except that they express how
often something happens. Adverbs of frequency are placed before the main verb.
They are placed after the verb 'be'. Here is a list of the most common adverbs of
frequency beginning with the most often to the least often:
1. always
2. almost always
3. usually
4. often
5. sometimes
6. occasionally
7. seldom
8. rarely
9. almost never
10.never
Examples
He seldom takes a vacation.
Jennifer occasionally goes to the movies.
Tom is never late for work.
Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree provide information concerning how much of something is
done. These adverbs are often placed at the end of a sentence.
Examples
They like playing golf a lot.
She decided that she doesn't enjoy watching TV at all.
She nearly flew to Boston, but decided not to go in the end.
Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place tell us where something happened. They include works such
as nowhere, anywhere, outside, everywhere, etc.
Examples
Tom will go anywhere with his dog.
You'll find that there is nowhere like home.
She found the box outside.
Formation
Adverbs are usually formed by adding '-ly' to an adjective.
quiet - quietly, careful - carefully, careless - carelessly
Adjectives ending in '-le' change to '-ly'.
possible - possibly, probable - probably, incredible - incredibly
Adjectives ending in '-y' change to '-ily'.
lucky - luckily, happy - happily, angry - angrily
Adjectives ending in '-ic' change to '-ically'.
basic - basically, ironic - ironically, scientific - scientifically
Some adjectives are irregular.
good - well, hard - hard, fast -fast
Sentence Placement
Adverbs of Manner: Adverbs of manner are placed after the verb or entire
expression (at the end of the sentence).
Their teacher speaks quickly.
Adverbs of Time: Adverbs of time are placed after the verb or entire expression
(at the end of the sentence).
She visited her friends last year.
Adverbs of Frequency: Adverbs of frequency are placed before the main verb
(not the auxiliary verb).
He often goes to bed late. Do you sometimes get up early?
Adverbs of Degree: Adverbs of degree are placed after the verb or entire
expression (at the end of the sentence).
She'll attend the meeting as well.
Adverbs of place: Adverbs of place are generally placed at the end of a
sentence.
She walked out of the room to nowhere.
Important Exceptions
Some adverbs are placed at the beginning of a sentence to provide more
emphasis.
Now you tell me you can't come!
Adverbs of frequency are placed after the verb 'to be' when used as the main verb
of the sentence.
Jack is often late for work.
Some adverbs of frequency (sometimes, usually, normally) are also placed at the
beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
Sometimes I visit my friends in London.
