Adverbs

Summary: 
Used to modify the meaning of verbs, adjectives and other adverbs
Example: 
Sandra’s dog is barking loudly in her backyard.
Explanation: 
The adverb loudly modifies the verb ‘to bark’ to give more information about how the dog is barking. In this case, that the
dog’s barking is very loud.

High Beginner
Use
Like adjectives, adverbs are used to give more information about another word. Adjectives give more
information about nouns, but adverbs give more information about verbs, adjectives or other adverbs.
 Rebecca speaks → How does Rebecca speak? → Rebecca speaks quietly.
 Brad Pitt is handsome. → How handsome is Brad Pitt? → Brad Pitt is very handsome.
 Rebecca speaks quietly. → How quietly does Rebecca speak? → Rebecca speaks very
quietly.

Form
Adverbs can generally be formed by adding -ly to an adjective. The adverb usually follows the word it is
modifying.
 clear → clearly
 slow → slowly
If the adjective ends in -y, replace it with -ily.
 easy → easily
 happy → happily
If the adjective ends in -able or -ible, change the -e to -y.
 fashionable → fashionably
 terrible → terribly
If the adjective ends with -ic, add -ally.
 basic → basically
 economic → economically

More Examples
 You are walking slowly.
 My children ate their dinner quickly.
 I finished my homework easily.

Note: There are several types of adverbs, including adverbs of degree, adverbs of indefinite frequency, and adverbs
of definite frequency.
Adverbs of Degree
Summary: 
Used to describe the intensity or degree of a verb, adjective or other adverb
Example: 
I am really happy.
Explanation: 
The adverb of degree really intensifies the adjective ‘happy’ to indicate that ‘I am happy to the highest degree’.

High Beginner
Use
We use adverbs of degree to increase or decrease the intensity of an action, adjective or other
adverb.

Form
An adverb of degree is usually placed before the word it is modifying.
 This movie is too long.
 Michael Phelps swims extremely quickly.
When it is modifying a conjugated verb with an auxiliary, it is placed between the two.
 I’ve almost finished my homework!

More Examples
 I am absolutely terrified of spiders.
 You were just leaving, weren’t you?
 This book is kind of boring.
 I’m very tired.
Adverbs of Definite Frequency
Summary: 
Used to describe how often an action occurs, in specific terms
Example: 
The newspaper is published daily.
Explanation: 
The adverb daily is used to describe how often the newspaper is published. We use an adverb of definite frequency
because we know that it is published every day.

Intermediate
Use
Unlike adverbs of indefinite frequency, we use adverbs of definite frequency to tell us the exact
number of times an action happens.

Form
Adverbs of definite frequency modify can directly follow the verb, or be at the beginning or the end of
a sentence.
 We meet hourly to stretch in order to stay alert.
 Our accountant pays our bills monthly.
Common examples are:
 hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly/annually
 once/twice/three times a month, every month, every other month (‘month’ can be
replaced by ‘hour, ‘day’, ‘week’ or ‘year’)

More Examples
 He changes his socks daily.
 There is a marathon held annually in Boston on Patriot’s Day.
 Americans pay their taxes yearly.
 We should meet weekly to discuss company updates.
 Most restaurants clean their toilets every hour.
Use
Unlike adverbs of definite frequency, we use adverbs of indefinite frequency to state in general
terms how often something happens.

Form
Adverbs of indefinite frequency are usually placed in the middle of a sentence, often before a verb.
 I always brush my teeth in the morning.
However, the adverbs sometimes, occasionally, often, frequently, and usually are often placed at
the beginning or end of a sentence:
 I go to the gym sometimes.

More Examples
 I usually wake up before the alarm rings.
 She never complains when the plans change.
 You always arrive late to work.
 He seldom sees his brother who lives in another country.
 Soccer players typically make more money than teachers.
 The guard repeatedly told the tourists to stay off the grass.
 Children rarely like to eat vegetables.
 I occasionally go to concerts.

Adverbs of Certainty
Summary: 
Used to describe how sure or confident we feel about an action
Example: 
He is probably late because there is traffic.
Explanation: 
We use the adverb of certainty probably to express that the speaker is reasonably sure that traffic is the reason he is
late.

Use
We use adverbs of certainty to say how confident we are that something is true. Adverbs of certainty
describe verbs and adjectives.

Form
Common adverbs of certainty are certainly, definitely, probably, undoubtedly, and surely.

Generally, we use adverbs of certainty before the main verb.

 She definitely ate the last cookie.
If we use the verb ‘to be,’ the adverb of certainty follows the verb.
 He is certainly happy that he won the game.
If there is an auxiliary verb, adverbs of certainty come between the auxiliary and the main verb.
 She will probably finish on time.
Adverbs of certainty can also come at the beginning of the sentence and are followed by a comma.
 Undoubtedly, New York is the best city in the world!
More Examples
 Certainly, I locked the door when I left.
 A used car definitely costs less than a new one.
 I’ve probably read that book to my son one hundred times.
 After the long flight, I will undoubtedly be very tired.
 Miles Davis was surely the best jazz musician ever.

Conjunctive Adverbs
Summary: 
Used to join two main clauses or to introduce one main clause
Example: 
Riding a bicycle is fun; also, it is healthy exercise.
Explanation: 
The conjunctive adverbs also joins the two main clauses.

High Intermediate
Use
We can use conjunctive adverbs to join two clauses. Conjunctive Adverbs can also introduce,
interrupt, or conclude a single main clause. Conjunctive adverbs help make smooth transitions
between ideas.

Form
Some of the most commonly used conjunctive adverbs
are accordingly, also, besides, consequently, conversely, finally, furthermore, hence, however, 
indeed, instead, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, otherwise, still, subsequently, then,
and therefore. The different conjunctive adverbs describe different relationships between the
clauses.

When a conjunctive adverb connects two complete ideas, we use a semicolon to connect the two
clauses, and we use a comma after the conjunctive adverb.
 He was a fast runner; however, he wasn’t a fast swimmer.
 He was a fast runner; therefore, he won many races.

When a conjunctive adverb is used to introduce, interrupt, or conclude a single main clause, we use
commas to separate the conjunctive adverb from the rest of the sentence.
 My friends are coming to visit. Therefore, we need to clean the house.
 Demitri didn’t like to cook. He liked to eat at restaurants, though.

More Examples
 She travelled through South America; subsequently, she learned to speak Spanish.
 He was always afraid of heights; nevertheless, he became a pilot.
 The woman lost 50kg; therefore, she had to buy new clothes. & I have short
legs; consequently, I will never be a fashion model.