Different Uses of Adverb
Adverbs can tell us more about a verb. Ex.
She walked slowly.
They can be used before another adverb. Ex.
He drove terribly slowly.
They can give information about how certain we are of something. Ex.
definitely, probably
They can be used before an adjective. Ex.
It was fairly difficult.
They can tell us when or how often something happens. Ex.
occasionally, regularly, never
Adverbs can connect ideas. Ex.
firstly, however
Formation of Adverbs
Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to adjectives. Example: quick – quickly, cheap – cheaply
If the adjective ends in -y, you change the -y to -i before adding -ly. Example: angry – angrily
If the adjective ends in –ic, you add –ally. Example: heroic – heroically
If the adjective ends in -le, you drop the -e and add-y. Example: reasonable – reasonably
Some adjectives look like adverbs. Example: lovely, elderly, friendly
Notice also: early~early, fast~fast, good~well
Adverb as Intensifiers
Uses of Adverb – Exercise # 1
A. Complete each sentence with a suitable phrase that is given below. There is one more than you need.
| hardly recognisable | frantically busy |
| dazzlingly bright | bitterly cold |
| exceptionally interesting | heavily in debt |
| intricately embroidered | acutely painful |
| historically accurate | mentally tiring |
| completely exhausted |
- Before I went to the dentist my bad tooth was ___________.
- I have always liked Anita Desai’s novels but her latest is ___________.
- I was ___________ last weekend trying to finish all my coursework in geography and biology.
- The midday sun shining on the sea was ___________.
- Meg lost so much weight during her illness that she was ___________.
- The children put on warm coats, hats and scarves before going out, as the weather had turned ____________.
- After a long day spent hiking and climbing, they were all ___________.
- I enjoy watching films about the kings and queens who lived long ago, but I am not sure that they are always ___________.
- After losing his money in an unsuccessful business venture, Bernard was ____________.
- Jordi’s work as a computer programmer is not physically demanding but it is ___________.
Uses of Adverb – Exercise # 2
B. Form adverbs from the adjectives in the box to complete these sentences.
| suitable | extreme | responsible |
| joyful | pathetic | immediate |
| romantic | extraordinary | dramatic |
| steady | simple |
- When the ship hit an iceberg, the helmsman was _________ brave.
- We made sure our first aid box was __________ equipped with bandages, antiseptic and plasters.
- The famous actress‘s name has been __________ linked with the captain of a large cruise liner.
- The winds that blow __________ towards the Equator are called trade winds because cargo-carrying sailing ships used to rely on them.
- After months adrift at sea, the couple were __________ thin and weak.
- The Dead Sea is so full of salt that it is said to be __________ difficult to sink in it.
- Natalie reacted so __________ during the crisis that she was __________ promoted to officer rank.
- The blueness of the Aegean Sea can be __________ explained by the amount of sunlight reaching the water’s surface.
- The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current which __________ affects the climate of Northern Europe.
- ‘I’ve just won a place on a training course for navigating officers!’ exclaimed Ralph __________.
Uses of Adverb – Exercise # 3
C. Complete each sentence with the correct preposition or adverb.
- I admire people who are brave enough to abseil __________ cliffs.
- Marina is normally late, but she managed to turn __________ on time ___________ the celebrations.
- The ball bounced ___________ the pavement into the road.
- They refused to give __________ hope _________ finding survivors when the building collapsed.
- We feed our cat __________ tinned cat food and biscuits.
- There is a good supply __________ fresh lobster __________ the local fishermen.
- The police are _________ pursuit _________ a gang of smugglers who are bringing contraband goods _________ the country.
- Before the steam engine was invented, ships had to rely _________ the wind.
- The children stood __________ silence while their names were called out.
- Mr Haramis is the officer __________ charge ___________ the fire and rescue service.