Outline of Adverb Concepts
Adverbs, similar to adjectives, are used to modify aspects of a sentence, but they have a wider range of applications. They can be likened to adjuvants, capable of modifying not just verbs, but also adjectives, other adverbs, and even entire sentences.
Adverbs can denote many things, such as the frequency, intensity, manner, and sentiment of verbs. There are different types of adverbs, including 'adverbs of manner', 'adverbs of frequency', 'adverbs of degree', and 'adverbs of certainty'.
Moreover, adverbs can signify time and location. Those indicating time are referred to as 'adverbs of time', whereas those indicating location are known as 'adverbs of place'. These classifications of adverbs help to better understand and categorize their functions within a sentence.
▶️ Adverb of manner
“Adverbs of manner” express the state, method, and mood of action, usually ending in "ly". Certain adverbs of manner share the same form as their corresponding adjectives, examples of which include words like 'hard', 'early', and 'late'.
(1) The adverb of manner can be placed before or after the "intransitive verb", but most of the time it will be placed after.
The stock price fell dramatically.
House prices have risen substantially over the last six months.
My piano playing has improved significantly since I started with a new teacher.
Employment levels are unlikely to rise considerably before the end of next year.
The country's oil reserves declined rapidly.
The presentation began promptly after lunch.
He quickly left. = He left quickly.
They always work efficiently.
The medicine works effectively.
(2) If the verb is followed by an object, the adverb can be placed after the object or before the verb, but the adverb must not be placed in front of the object.
She speaks English fluently.
You play the guitar well.
You should take this job seriously.
They accidentally mixed up our order with another table's.
The employees were inadequately trained.
Please go over the contract thoroughly.
Many self-employed people are heavily taxed.
Studies suggest that regular intake of the vitamin significantly improves brain function.
Adverbs must not be placed before the object. The following two sentences are incorrect:
(X) She speakings fluently English
(X) You play well the guitar
As mentioned earlier, certain adverbs of manner share the same form as their corresponding adjectives, examples of which include words like 'hard', 'early', and 'late'. Hence, these adverbs must be placed after the verb. Take a look at the following examples.
Vocabulary | Adverb | Adjective |
hard | He studies hard. | He is a hard worker. |
high | The eagle can fly high. | This building is high. |
low | The plane fly low. | The volume is low. |
early | She left early. | We were early. |
late | She came home late. | We are late. |
fast | You drive too fast. | He is a fast learner. |
slow | They work slow. | She's a slow eater. |
near | I'd like to sit near a window, please. | He will be retired in the near future. |
(3) The adverb of manner is placed before the adjective to modify the adjective
The project is not financially feasible.
Organic farming is more environmentally and economically sustainable.
i Pads are becoming increasingly commonplace.
Example: Please be sure to ____ review the insurance policy prior to signing up for the new health insurance.
(A) thorough
(B) through
(C) though
(D) thoroughly
The correct answer is (D) thoroughly.
In this context, "thoroughly" is an adverb that means to do something carefully, in a detailed or comprehensive way. It's modifying the verb "review" to indicate the manner in which the insurance policy should be reviewed.
(A) "thorough" is an adjective, not an adverb, so it cannot modify the verb "review." It could only modify a noun, which isn't present in this sentence.
(B) “through” is a preposition, for example, they walked slowly through the woods.
(C) “though” is a conjunction used to introduce a contrast or contradiction. It doesn't make sense in this sentence. Let’s look at an example sentence of “though”: She hasn’t called, even though she said she would. |
▶️ Adverb of frequency
Adverbs of frequency are used to express "how often an action occurs".
Adverb of frequency |
always (100%)
usually (~70%)
frequently (~70%) often (~70%)
sometimes (~50%)
occasionally (~30%) seldom (~10%)
rarely (~10%)
hardly ever (~10%) never (~0%) |
(1) Adverbs of frequency are placed before common verbs
He always works overtime.
I sometimes take a vacation.
I hardly have a midnight snack.
My dad never goes to night markets.
(2) Adverbs of frequency are placed after the verbs of “Be” and auxiliary verbs
She is often busy.
The bus 10 is usually crowded.
Example: Ms. Jones is known to be a dedicated worker who is never late and _____ missed a day of work.
(A) hard
(B) hardly
(C) harden
(D) hardy
▶️ Adverb of certainty
Adverbs of certainty indicate the degree of confidence the speaker has regarding the validity of a statement. Examples of such adverbs include 'probably', 'undoubtedly', 'especially' (which is equivalent to 'particularly'), 'absolutely', 'definitely' (which can be interchanged with 'certainly' or 'surely'), and 'apparently' (synonymous with 'obviously').
(1) They are placed before general verbs
I absolutely need a new job.
He definitely said he would be here.
I didn't especially/particularly want to go to the party.
It's a pity you couldn't come—I especially/particularly wanted you to meet my friend Jo.
He apparently/obviously injured his arm.
She will certainly/surely win the election if the opinion polls are accurate.
I'll probably arrive by midnight.
(2) They are placed after the “Be” verb
She is especially interested in sport.
He is obviously upset.
I was never a particularly academic student.
(3) If there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb of certainty will be placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb
If we continue to pile up debts, we will definitely be out of business.
He has probably forgotten the meeting.
(4) They are used to modify sentences
She looks about ten, but apparently, she's 14.
Undoubtedly, Winston Churchill was a great politician.
Certainly, I will be there.
Probably, he had forgotten the meeting.
Example: If you are booking an international plane ticket, you should book as far in advance as possible, _______ if your destination only has one nearby airport.
(A) especial
(B) special
(C) especially
(D) specialty
▶️ Adverbs of time
Adverbs of time tell when an action happened, how long it lasted, and how often. Adverbs of time are generally placed at the end of sentences, and sometimes adverbs of time are placed at the beginning of sentences to emphasize the tone. Common adverbs of time are yesterday, today, tomorrow, ago, later = soon, recently = lately.
My friend will pick me up in two hours. = Two hours later, My friend will pick me up.
My phone is running out of battery soon.
lately/recently can be placed before the verb, or before and after the sentence.
Have you seen any good films recently/lately?
The government recently nationalized the railways.
Recently, I've been feeling a bit depressed.
Example: Dozens of co-working spaces have ______ sprung up in east London where small businesses and start-up companies are thriving.
(A) later
(B) late
(C) lately
(D) latest
The correct answer is (C) lately. The adverb lately is used to modify the verb phrase spring up (to emerge).
In this sentence, we need an adverb that indicates a recent time period or a happening in the recent past. The word 'lately' serves this purpose. So, "Dozens of co-working spaces have lately sprung up in east London where small businesses and start-up companies are thriving" is the correct sentence.
(A) 'later' implies a future time period, which doesn't fit in the context of the sentence, which is discussing something that has happened in the past. (B) 'late' is an adjective and is usually used to describe someone or something that is after the expected, scheduled, or usual time. It doesn't fit in the context of the sentence.
(D) 'latest' is the superlative form of 'late'. It's used to refer to the most recent thing or event. But in this sentence, we need an adverb not an adjective. Hence, 'latest' is incorrect. |
▶️ Adverb of place
. Adverbs of place are utilized to denote locations and are typically positioned following the verb within a sentence. Numerous examples of common adverbs of place include: here, there, everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, nearby, outside, inside, abroad, upstairs, and downstairs, among others.
I am planning to study abroad.
They only live here in summer.
The children are upstairs.
▶️ Adverb of degree
Adverbs of degree describe the intensity or degree of a verb, adjective, or another adverb; they are usually placed before the word they modify. Such adverbs include only, just, almost = nearly, very = too = quite = so = pretty = extremely = highly, enough, much = far, even, well.
We'll cover adverbs of degree in Lesson 27.
▶️ Connecting adverb
We'll cover linking adverbs in Lesson 17.
▶️ Numbers are adjectives and numbers are preceded by adverbs
almost, nearly, approximately, roughly, around, about 10 million people
a maximum of 100 students = up to 100 students
a minimum of 10 kids
only 1 %
more than = over
less than = below
The store offers up to 40 percent discount today.
Only 16 employees participated in the activity.
It took me approximately six hours to finish the task.
To everyone's surprise, there were more than ten thousand visitors.