Adverbs -ly adverbs

You can add -ly to a number of adjectives to form adverbs: bad —> badly, loud -> loudly, sudden -> suddenly Sometimes you need to make changes to the spelling: true —> truly, full —> fully, happy -> happily, terrible —> terribly, realistic —> realistically.

-ly adverbs with verbs Adverbs of manner describe how something is done, or how something happens: He answered slowly. She quietly picked up the gun.

Adverbs of manner can come in three positions in a sentence or clause: They usually come after the verb they describe. If the verb has an object, the adverb comes after the verb + object: She spoke calmly. She held the gun firmly. They can also come in the middle of the sentence, between the subject and the main verb: She calmly spoke to the man in the chair. She quietly picked up the gun. When there is an auxiliary verb, the adverb comes after the auxiliary and before the main verb: She had quietly picked up the gun. They can also come at the beginning of the sentence: Calmly, she spoke to the man in the chair. Quietly, she picked up the gun.

You don’t normally use adverbs of manner between the subject and the verb, or at the beginning of the sentence, when no other additional information is given after the verb (e.g. an object, a prepositional phrase). Say: She spoke calmly, (don’t say She calmly spoke. Calmly she spoke)

-ly adverbs with adjectives and adverbs You can use -ly adverbs to add information about, or comment on, an adjective or another adverb. The -ly adverb always comes before the adjective or adverb. Her voice was remarkably calm. He was incredibly relieved. He moved surprisingly quickly.

-ly adverbs commenting on a clause or sentence You can use an -ly adverb to comment on a whole sentence or clause. These adverbs usually come: at the beginning of the sentence or clause: Luckily, he knew Matthews was the murderer. or at the end of the sentence or clause: He knew Matthews was the murderer, luckily. Use commas to separate the comment adverb from the rest of the sentence.

Change of position and meaning The meaning of the sentence sometimes changes when the position of the adverb changes. This happens when the focus of the adverb changes. Slowly, we realised that he had taken all our money. (Slowly refers to the whole sentence.) We realised that he had slowly taken all our money. (Slowly refers to the way he took the money.)

Present Tenses Review

There are two types of main verbs: dynamic and stative. Dynamic verbs You use dynamic verbs to talk about actions or events. You can use them to talk about facts/routines and actions that are in progress: I talk to my students individually once a term. (= routine) Sorry, I’m talking to a student right now. Can we talk later? (= action in progress)

Stative verbs You use stative verbs to talk about states. These include talking about existence (be, exist), beliefs and opinions (know, think, understand) and possession (have got, belong): I’m from England. (= existence) I know what you mean. (= belief) I’ve got one brother and two sisters. (= possession)

Some stative verbs are only used in the present simple and not in the present continuous: Ask me. I know the answer! (don’t say Ask me. I’m knowing the answer) Speak more slowly. I don’t understand English very well. (don’t say Speak more slowly. I’m not understanding English very well.) You seem distracted today, (don’t say You 're seeming distracted today.) This house belongs to my grandmother, (don’t say This house is belonging to my grandmother.) I don’t believe you! (don't say I’m not believing you!) I’m sorry but I don’t agree with you. (don’t say I’m sorry, but I’m not agreeing with you)

You can use some stative verbs in both the present simple and the present continuous: in the present simple the verb describes a general state or situation: Normally, he isn’t well behaved. (= generally true) What do you think about the situation? (= general opinion) in the present continuous the verb describes a temporary state or new situation: He’s being very well behaved today. (= temporary situation) I’m not sure. I’m thinking about it. (— in progress)

Changes in meaning The meaning of some verbs can change because they can be both stative and dynamic, e.g. have: Stative: I have a shower. (= I own a shower.) Dynamic: I’m having a shower. (= I’m taking a shower at the moment.) I have a shower every morning. (= I take a shower every morning.) Other verbs that can change their meaning include: come, love, appear, see and weigh.