ADVERBS: How adverbs are formed
Rules
1. In most cases, an adverb is formed by adding '-ly' to an adjective:
| Adjective | Adverb |
|
cheap |
cheaply |
Examples:
- Time goes quickly.
- He walked slowly to the door.
- She certainly had an interesting life.
- He carefully picked up the sleeping child.
Rules
If the adjective ends in '-y', replace the 'y' with 'i' and add '-ly':
| Adjective | Adverb |
|
easy |
easily |
If the adjective ends in -'able', '-ible', or '-le', replace the '-e' with '-y':
| Adjective | Adverb |
|
probable |
probably |
If the adjective ends in '-ic', add '-ally':
| Adjective | Adverb |
|
basic |
basically |
Note: Exception: public - publicly
2. Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective:
| Adjective and Adverb | |
|
early |
late |
Compare:
- It is a fast car.
- He drives very fast.
- This is a hard
exercise.
- He works hard.
- We saw many
high
buildings.
- The bird flew high in the sky.
3. 'Well' and 'good'
'Well' is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective 'good'.
Examples:
- He is a good
student.
- He studies well.
- She is a good
pianist.
- She plays the
piano well.
- They are good
swimmers.
- They swim well.
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