Adverbs

An adverb is a word which describes a verb. Adverbs describe how an action takes place. Adverbs add meaning to verbs. For example: ‘She talked quietly’ gives us more information than ‘she talked.’ ‘He stopped suddenly’ gives more information than ‘he stopped.’

Rules of Adverbs Most adverbs end in –ly and are formed by adding –ly to the adjective. For example: –Calm becomes calmly –Bitter becomes bitterly If the adjective ends in –y, we change the y to an i and add-ly. For example: –Angry becomes angrily –Happy becomes happily

Rules of Adverbs Some words, particularly those ending in –c, form their adverbs by adding –ally. For example: Frantic becomes frantically Dramatic becomes dramatically. Some adverbs are irregular and do not follow this pattern at all. For example: here, sometimes, soon, here, never, too.

Exercise 1 Copy out and complete these sentences with a suitable adverb. 1.She held the child ___________ 2. I sat __________ in my favourite chair. 3. I will come and see you shortly. 4. He stopped speaking _____and sat down. 5. The car swerved ________. 6. I carried the tray of drinks ______ so as not to spill anything.

Exercise 2 Change these words into adverbs by adding –ly, -ily, or –ally. For example: beautiful becomes beautifully. AngryPathetic ModestDepressing SuspiciousAutomatic PlainLoud PunctualSudden PatientQuiet Wearyjoyful PleasantBroad

Exercise 3 For each letter of the alphabet give an adverb. For example: Aangrily Bbitterly Ccalmly