English Adverbs - How to Use Adverbs - Grammar for Beginners in English ESL TEFL EFL ESOL

English as 2nd Language

Using Adverbs - Grammar for English Learners

Adverbs modify verbs. They tell you How something is done. Example: How does he she sing? - She sings beautifully.

Rule: Adverbs are often formed by adding -ly to an adjective

Example: beautiful - beautifully, careful - carefully

Be Careful!

Some adjectives don't change in the adverb form. The most important of these are: fast - fast, hard - hard

Good is probably the most important exception. The adverb form of 'good' is 'well'. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake that many Americans make!

NOT!!: He plays tennis good.

Rule: Adverbs can also modify an adjective. In this case, the adverb is placed before the adjective.

Example: She is extremely happy. They are absolutely sure.

Be Careful!

Do not use 'very' with adjectives that express an increased quality of a basic adjective Example: good - fantastic

NOT!!: She is a very beautiful woman.

Rule: Adverbs of frequency (always, never, sometimes, often, etc.) usually come before the main verb

Example: He is often late for class. Do you always eat in a restaurant? They don't usually travel on Fridays.

Be Careful!

Adverbs of frequency expressing infrequency are not usually used in the negative or question form. NOT!!: Does she rarely eat fish? They don't seldom go to the cinema.
Adverbs of frequency are often placed at the beginning of a sentence. Example: Sometimes, he likes to go to museums.
Adverbs of frequency follow - come after - the verb 'to be'. Example: He is sometimes late for work.

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Continue Learning for Beginners Unit 6