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Adverbs of manner: quickly, well
A2 A2 grammar · lesson 12 of 25
Adverbs of manner tell us how someone does something. They describe verbs, while adjectives describe nouns.
Adjective or adverb?
An adjective describes a noun: a slow driver. An adverb of manner describes a verb, it answers the question How?: He drives slowly.
How to make adverbs
| Adjective | Rule | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| quick, slow, careful, quiet | add -ly | quickly, slowly, carefully, quietly |
| easy, happy, angry | y → -ily | easily, happily, angrily |
| gentle, terrible | -le → -ly | gently, terribly |
| good | irregular | well |
| fast, hard, late, early | no change | fast, hard, late, early |
Word order
Put the adverb after the verb, or after the object if there is one. Do not put it between the verb and the object.
Mia speaks quietly.
Please drive carefully.
Tom plays the guitar well.
She finished the test easily.
Ali works very hard.
The children ran fast to the bus.
Lucy opened the door slowly.
I arrived late because of the traffic.
Note: hardly and lately are different words with different meanings, so do not use them for hard and late.
Common mistakes
✗ She sings very good.
✓ She sings very well.
✗ He speaks English fluent.
✓ He speaks English fluently.
✗ I read carefully the letter.
✓ I read the letter carefully.
✗ You look tiredly.
✓ You look tired.