Adverbs

Dr. Grammar says:

“What’s wrong with this sentence? I very like studying English, but I am slow learning.”

EXPLANATION:

What is an adverb?

Adverbs give more information about a verb…

(e.g. slowly, quickly, beautifully, well are all verbs)

When we want to describe what is happening, and give more information to make what we say more interesting we use adverbs. Any verbs can have adverbs added.

Adverbs are used in 4 main ways:

1. “She dances beautifully.” = how something happens

2. “He went to Nha Trang yesterday.” = when something happens

3. “They meet daily.” = how often something happens

4. “I really like ice cream.” = making a verb/adjective/adverb stronger/weaker

Adverbs are often made from adjectives by adding “ly”:

Beautiful > beautifully

Quick > quickly

Slow > slowly

Adjectives ending in “y” have their spelling changed a bit:

Happy > happily

Easy > easily

So…

I very like studying English, but I am slow learning. X

I really like studying English, but I am learning slowly. √

EXERCISE:

Choose an adverb from the box to fill the gap in each sentence (some may have more than one answer):

1. He goes to his hometown ………………..

2. She can paint ……………….. and has sold some of her pictures.

3. They ……………….. enjoyed their holiday, and they want to go to Da Lat again.

4. “Of course I can help you!” she said ………………..

5. ……………….. we are going to go to the cinema to watch a new movie.

Answers:

1. tomorrow/weekly, 2. beautifully, 3. really, 4. happily, 5. Tomorrow

FURTHER PRACTICE:

Use the following adverbs to make sentences of your own:

sadly          easily            slowly

quickly       really             loudly

quietly        frequently     usually

This material is provided by the Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).