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)