Adverbs in English and features of their use

30 January 2026

English-learners

Oleksandra Kulish

Book expert

The formation of adverbs in English is quite an extensive topic, as there are different types of adverbs, forms, rules of usage, and, as is often the case in English, exceptions that need to be memorized. In this article, we will look at the correct use of adverbs in English and how to avoid mistakes when using them.

What adverbs are and what role they play in a sentence

Adverbs are words in a sentence that indicate a characteristic of an action or various circumstances under which this action takes place. They are usually easy to recognize, as many adverbs end with the suffix -ly, which is quite typical.

However, there are also adverbs that do not have this suffix. They can be simple (for example, now, today), compound (for example, sometimes), or consist of several words (for example, at least). All these adverbs are usually divided into thematic groups.

It can be said that an adverb уточнює other parts of speech: it describes a verb, an adjective, or even another adverb.

Verb:

Anna sings. / Anna sings beautifully.
Tom writes. / Tom writes carefully.

Adjective:

The movie is interesting. / The movie is extremely interesting.
The cake is sweet. / The cake is too sweet.

Another adverb:

She speaks slowly. / She speaks very slowly.

The meaning of a sentence can change depending on which word the adverb modifies. For example, consider the sentence: I want to meet you one day. By adding the adverb only:

I only want to meet you one day.
I want to meet only you one day.
I want to meet you only one day.

Thus, adverbs help convey actions, qualities, or intensity more precisely and change the nuance of a sentence depending on which word they modify. It is important to choose the correct position of an adverb in an English sentence so that its meaning is clear and does not distort the sense.

Main types of adverbs in English

According to their function, English adverbs are divided into several types, each with its own characteristics.

Adverbs of manner

Adverbs of manner answer the question “how?” and show the way an action is performed: quickly, carefully. They are usually placed after the verb (if there is no direct object) or after the object.

Examples:
It’s icy, so walk carefully.
I learned the new English phrases quickly.

Adverbs of manner can sometimes be placed before the verb without changing the meaning of the sentence.

The teacher entered the classroom slowly. / The teacher slowly entered the classroom.

However, this rule does not apply to all adverbs of manner. For example, adverbs that evaluate the quality of an action (well, badly) always come after the verb or its object.

You did your homework well. (correct) / You well did your homework. (incorrect)

Adverbs of time

Adverbs of time answer the question “when?”: yesterday, soon. In a sentence, they usually appear at the beginning or at the end if emphasis is needed.

Examples:
We visited the museum yesterday. / Yesterday, we visited the museum.
The movie will start soon. / Soon, the movie will start.

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency show how often an action occurs: always, seldom. In a sentence, they are placed before the main verb but after to be and auxiliary verbs.

Examples:
You are always on time!
We have never tried rock climbing.

In questions, adverbs of frequency are placed after the subject:

Are you often tired after work?

Sometimes adverbs of frequency can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis:

Sometimes, I spend the whole day reading.

Adverbs of place

Adverbs of place answer the question “where?”: here, outside. They are usually placed after the verb or verb phrase (verb + object).

Examples:
Mr. Brown isn’t here.
I’ll meet you outside.

Adverbs of degree

Adverbs of degree describe the extent or intensity of an action or quality: very, a bit. They are placed before adjectives or other adverbs.

Examples:
This singer is very talented.
They won’t finish on time. They work too slowly.

Viewpoint adverbs

Adverbs such as personally or unfortunately express the speaker’s attitude or point of view. They are usually placed at the beginning of a sentence and separated by a comma.

Examples:
Unfortunately, our flight was delayed.
Personally, I prefer tea over coffee.

How adverbs are formed: basic rules and exceptions

Most adverbs are formed from adjectives by adding the suffix -ly to answer the question “how?”:

quick → quickly;
loud → loudly.

1. Adjectives ending in -y

If an adjective ends in -y, the letter y changes to i before adding -ly:

angry → angrily;
crazy → crazily.

Exceptions:
shy → shyly;
sly → slyly;
coy → coyly.

2. Adjectives ending in -ue

If an adjective ends in -ue, the letter e is dropped before adding -ly:

true → truly;
due → duly.

3. Adjectives ending in -l

If an adjective ends in -l, the letter l is doubled before adding -ly:

formal → formally;
terrible → terribly.

4. Adjectives ending in -le

If an adjective ends in -le, the -e changes to -y:

gentle → gently;
humble → humbly.

5. Adjectives ending in -ic

If an adjective ends in -ic, -ally is added:

dramatic → dramatically;
historic → historically.

Exception:
public → publicly.

Summary

Adverbs can modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. Depending on the question they answer, different types of adverbs are distinguished:

adverbs of manner;
time;
place;
frequency;
degree and others.

To form an adverb, in most cases it is enough to add the suffix -ly. For comparison and forming comparative and superlative degrees, -er and -est are used respectively.

So, another important rule has been learned! The next step is practice. The more you use adverbs in sentences, the more natural they will sound. And don’t forget to practice not only grammar, but also live communication. Good luck with your studies!