“Adverbs” are very similar to “Adjectives.” Both words are “describing words.” “Adjectives” describe nouns and tell us “what something or someone is like,” but “Adverbs” tell us how, when, and where an action is performed. In other words, they express how someone does something or how something happens. This means that “Adverbs” work with verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, but never with nouns.
Many adverbs and with “-ly,” but not all. Here is a shortlist of some common adverbs:
- Happily (happy + ly)
- Beautifully (beautiful + ly)
- Easily (easy + ly)
- Clearly (clear + ly)
- Closely (close + ly)
- Highly (high + ly)
- Rarely (rare + ly)
- Softly (soft + ly)
- Quietly (quiet + ly)
- Wrongly (wrong + ly)
Adverbs with Verbs
“Verbs” tell us what someone or something is doing. When you use an “Adverb” with a “Verb,” you describe how someone does something.
You can always check the adverb by asking yourself: “How does he/she/they/it do something?”
She sings beautifully.
(“beautifully” = adverb | “sings” = verb)
(How does she sing? → “beautifully”)
They run home quickly.
(“quickly” = adverb | “run” = verb)
(How do they run home? → “quickly”)
Steve talked loudly.
(“loudly” = adverb | “talked” = verb)
(How does Steve talk? → “loudly”)
Adverbs with Adjectives
“Adjectives” tell us what someone or something is like. When you use an “Adverb” with an “Ajective,” you describe more closely what someone or something is like.
You can always check the adverb by asking yourself: “What exactly or how exactly is/are he/she/they/it?”
Sophie is extremely intelligent.
(“extremely” = adverb that describes “intelligent” | “intelligent” = adjective)
(How intelligent is Sophie? → “extremely”)
Joe is incredibly talented.
(“incredibly” = adverb that describes “talented” | “talented” = adjective)
(How talented is Joe? → “incredibly”)
The couple is happily married.
(“happily” = adverb that describes “married” | “married” = adjective)
(How is the couple married? → “happily”)
Adverbs with other Adverbs
If you are new to learning English grammar, you don’t have to understand how adverbs work with other adverbs yet. We only explain this to people who are really interested to learn more about adverbs. So don’t feel bad if you can’t understand this part yet.
When you use an “Adverb” with another “Adverb,” you describe more closely how another adverb describes something.
You can always check the adverb by asking yourself: “How does he/she/they/it do something?” OR “What exactly is/are he/she/they/it?” OR “How exactly is/are he/she/they/it?”
He runs incredibly fast.
(“incredibly” = 1st adverb that describes “fast” | “fast” = 2nd adverb that describes “runs” | “runs” = verb)
(How fast does he run? → “incredibly fast”)
She is nearly always tired.
(“nearly” = 1st adverb that describes “always” | “always” = 2nd adverb to “tired” | “tired” = adjective)
(How often is she tired? → “nearly always”)
Jane knows her friend very well.
(“very” = 1st adverb that describes “well” | “well” = 2nd adverb that describes “knows” | “knows” = verb)
(How well does Jane know her friend? → “very well”)