50 Adverbs Formation
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Introduction
Adverbs are expressions that function as modifiers of other elements in the clause. They can provide a wide range of information.
Form
Adverbs can be formed from adjectives according to their suffix. The various cases of the formation of adverbs are:
Regular
- The adverbs are formed by just adding -ly to adjectives.
Adjective | Adverb |
---|---|
bad | badly |
beautiful | beautifully |
complete | completely |
extreme | extremely |
slow | slowly |
- Adjective with suffix -y : change to -i before adding -ly.
Adjective | Adverb |
---|---|
easy | easily |
happy | happily |
nasty | nastily |
- If an adjective ends with consonant + -le, -e becomes -y.
Adjective | Adverb |
---|---|
gentle | gently |
idle | idly |
noble | nobly |
- Adjective with suffix -ic: add -ally.
Adjective | Adverb |
---|---|
drastic | drastically |
enthusiastic | enthusiastically |
tragic | tragically |
Irregular
Adjective | Adverb |
---|---|
full | fully |
public | publicly |
shy | shyly |
true | truly |
Friendly and timely are adjectives and if we want to use them as adverbs, we follow these structures:
- Friendly ⇒ in a friendly manner;
- Timely ⇒ in a timely manner.
Example
Regular
Most of the adverbs
- He was answering slowly.
Adjective with suffix -y
- She easily moved to another flat.
Adjective ending with consonant + -le, -e
- She gently opened the pack of flour.
- You idly ate that tin of tuna.
Adjective with suffix -ic
- They enthusiastically made a jar of marmalade.
Irregular
- She shyly asked a question.
- We offered her some orange juice in a friendly manner.
Use
An adverb is a word that describes or gives more information about a verb, adjective, phrase or another adverb.
Summary
Adverbs are expressions that function as modifiers of other elements in the clause. To make adverbs from adjectives we follow a general rule.
For example:
— “Beautiful” ⇒ “I wrapped a box of biscuits beautifully.” = Add -ly.
There are some exceptions, depending on the ending of the adjectives.
For example:
— With suffix-y: “Easy“ ⇒ “I can easily drink alcoholic drinks.” = We change -y to -i and add -ly;
— Consonant + -le: “Noble“ ⇒ “The knight who nobly fought was thirsty.” = We change -e to -y;
— With suffix -ic: “Drastic“ ⇒ “Steak prices drastically changed.” = We add -ally.
Some adverbs are irregular and there is no rule for their formation (fully, publicly, in a timely manner…).
For example:
— “Publicly” ⇒ “He publicly continued his speech.”
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. And take a look to the [Examples] that show its use within a context.
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