Adverbs
Adverbs describe verbs (actions). They give more detail about the action.
My cat eats slowly.
Slowly is an adverb since it describes the way my cat eats.
How does my cat eat? Slowly.
Adverbs will generally answer the question 'How'.
Some adverbs are used to modify an adjective.
Adverbs that do this are: very, extremely, really, totally, absolutely, quite, fairly, well. These are normally placed before the adjective.
It was very hot yesterday.
He is totally crazy.
Types of Adverbs
There are many types of adverbs, such as:
Adverbs of Frequency - always, sometimes, never, etc.
Adverbs of Manner - carefully, slowly
Adverbs of Time and Place - here, yesterday, then
Adverbs of Relative Time - recently, already, soon
Adverbs of Degree - very, extremely, rather
Adverbs of Quantity - a few, a lot, much
Adverbs of Attitude - fortunately, apparently, clearly
Adverbs Word Order
Adverbs are usually placed after the verb:
He speaks clearly.
When there is an object, the adverb is usually placed after the verb + object:
I put the vase carefully on the table.
However, adverbs are never positioned between the verb and the object.
I read the book quickly. - (Correct)
I read quickly the book. - (Incorrect)
Sometimes adverbs are placed at the beginning of a clause.
Quickly, I changed my opinion.
Adjectives
Adjectives ending in ED and ING
There are many adjectives that we have in English that end in -ED or -ING.
Yes, that's correct, they are not only endings that we use for verbs!
An adjective that ends in -ING is used to describe: the characteristic of a person or a thing.
An adjective that ends in -ED is used to describe: a feeling.
Compare the difference:
My girlfriend is bored. - (My girlfriend feels bored)
My girlfriend is boring. - (My girlfriend is a boring person)
You can use these adjectives to describe people or situations but be careful that you are using the correct adjective. For example, there is a big difference in meaning between:
I am confused. - (I don't understand something)
I am confusing. - (I will cause you to be confused)
Of course, you could also find both adjectives in the same sentence. Then you really need to concentrate on the intent / context of the sentence.
Examples:
I was shocked by how shocking the accident was last night.
They were frightened by the frightening roller-coaster ride!
I am annoyed by how annoying that person in front of us is.
Sally was confused by the confusing street signs in the city.
Note that the sentences above are to highlight how both adjectives can appear in the same sentence though it isn't common (because it sounds repetitive).
List of Adjectives ending in -ED and -ING
There is quite a long list of adjectives ending in -ED and -ING in English, and most of them are based on a verb that can be changed into an adjective by adding either -ED or -ING.
Some of the more common ones include:
Alarmed - Alarming
Aggravated - Aggravating
Amused - Amusing
Annoyed - Annoying
Astonished - Astonishing
Astounded - Astounding
Bored - Boring
Captivated - Captivating
Challenged - Challenging
Charmed - Charming
Comforted - Comforting
Confused - Confusing
Convinced - Convincing
Depressed - Depressing
Disappointed - Disappointing
Discouraged - Discouraging
Disgusted - Disgusting
Distressed - Distressing
Disturbed - Disturbing
Embarrassed - Embarrassing
Encouraged - Encouraging
Entertained - Entertaining
Excited - Exciting
Exhausted - Exhausting
Fascinated - Fascinating
Frightened - Frightening
Frustrated - Frustrating
Fulfilled - Fulfilling
Gratified - Gratifying
Inspired - Inspiring
Insulted - Insulting
Interested - Interesting
Moved - Moving
Overwhelmed - Overwhelming
Perplexed - Perplexing
Pleased - Pleasing
Relaxed - Relaxing
Relieved - Relieving
Satisfied - Satisfying
Shocked - Shocking
Sickened - Sickening
Soothed - Soothing
Surprised - Surprising
Tempted - Tempting
Terrified - Terrifying
Threatened - Threatening
Thrilled - Thrilling
Tired - Tiring
Touched - Touching
Troubled - Troubling
Unsettled - Unsettling
Worried - Worrying
Adverbs of Frequency
We use some adverbs to describe how frequently we do an activity.
These are called adverbs of frequency and include:Frequency Adverb of Frequency Example Sentence
100% always I always go to bed before 11pm .
90% usually I usually walk to work.
80% normally / generally I normally go to the gym.
70% often* / frequently I often surf the internet.
50% sometimes I sometimes forget my wife's birthday.
30% occasionally I occasionally eat junk food.
10% seldom / rarely I seldom read the newspaper.
5% hardly ever I hardly ever drink alcohol.
0% never I never swim in the sea.
* Some people pronounce the 'T' in often but many others do not.
The Position of the Adverb in a Sentence
An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb (except with To Be).Subject + adverb + main verb
I always remember to do my homework.
He normally gets good marks in exams.
An adverb of frequency goes after the verb To Be.Subject + to be + adverb
They are never pleased to see me.
She isn't usually bad tempered.
When we use an auxiliary verb (have, will, must, might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the main verb. This is also true for to be.Subject + auxiliary + adverb + main verb
She can sometimes beat me in a race.
I would hardly ever be unkind to someone.
They might never see each other again.
They could occasionally be heard laughing.
We can also use the following adverbs at the start of a sentence:
Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally
Occasionally, I like to eat Thai food.
BUT we cannot use the following at the beginning of a sentence:
Always, seldom, rarely, hardly, ever, never.
We use hardly ever and never with positive, not negative verbs:
She hardly ever comes to my parties.
They never say 'thank you'.
We use ever in questions and negative statements:
Have you ever been to New Zealand
I haven't ever been to Switzerland Switzerland
We can also use the following expressions when we want to be more specific about the frequency:
- every day - once a month - twice a year - four times a day - every other week
Adjective vs. Adverb Review
Adjectives describe nouns (things).
My dog is slow.
Slow is an adjective since it describes the subject (my dog).
How is my dog? Slow
Adverbs describe verbs (actions).
My dog eats slowly.
Slowly is an adverb since it describes the way my dog eats.
How does my dog eat? Slowly.
Adverbs -LY
Adverbs are normally formed by adding -LY to the end of an adjective.
E.g. Quick - Quickly
For adjectives that end in -l or -e, we simply add -ly:special + ly = specially
terminal + ly = terminally
literal + ly = literally
nice + ly = nicely
polite + ly = politely
There are of course some expectations:true truly
whole wholly
due duly
full fully
Adverbs ending in -Y
For adjectives that end in -y, we remove the -y and add -ily:crazy crazily
happy happily
Adverbs ending in -LE
For adjectives that end in a consonant + le we remove the -e and add -y:terrible terribly
horrible horribly
noble nobly
idle idly
Adverbs ending in -IC
If the adjective ends in -ic, we add -ally:ironic ironically
enthusiastic enthusiastically
realistic realistically
Except: public - publicly
Irregular Adverbs
Some adverbs, are irregular:Adjective Adverb Example
fast fast The man drives very fast (quickly).
good well You speak English very well.
Adverbs vs. Adjectives
Adjectives
Adjectives describe nouns (things).
My dog is slow.
Slow is an adjective since it describes the noun (my dog).
How is my dog? Slow
Adverbs
Adverbs describe verbs (actions).
My dog eats slowly.
Slowly is an adverb since it describes the way my dog eats.
How does my dog eat? Slowly.
Some adverbs are used to modify an adjective.
Adverbs that do this are: very, extremely, really, totally, absolutely, quite, fairly, well. These are normally placed before the adjective.
He is very rich.
They are extremely happy.
She was totally crazy.
My dog is well trained.
Adverbs and Adjectives with the same form
There are a number of adjectives / adverbs that take the same form. It therefore depends on the sentence context as to whether it is an adjective or an adverb.
The adjectives / adverbs that take the same form include:
fast, hard, early, late, high, low, right, wrong, straight and long.
Adam has a fast car. (Adjective)
Adam speaks fast. (Adverb)
Good vs. Well
Good and Well are two words that tend to create confusion for learners of English.
Good is an adjective
Well is an adverb.
She is a good singer.
She sings well.
Though sometimes we use well as an adjective when we are talking about health and well-being.
A: How are you today?
B: I'm well, thanks.
(I'm well is a better and more common answer to this question than 'Fine' or 'Good', although these are also reasonably common.)
