Form of Adverbs and Adverb Clauses
Adverbs are usually formed from adjectives adding an -ly ending, for example a careful driver - to drive carefully; a slow runner - to run slowly. However, there are adjectives that already have a -ly ending, like friendly, costly (= expensive), ugly, lively, unlikely, silly. If you want to use these as advebs, you need to use them in adverb clauses, for example She is a silly girl ("silly" modifies a noun and is therefore an adjective). - She giggled in a silly way ("silly" modifies a verb and is therefore an adverb). His presentation was lively ("lively" modifies a noun and is therefore an adjective) - He talked in a lively manner ("lively" modifies a verb and is therefore an adverb).
Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form.
Adjective
That is a very fast train. He is a hard worker. He has gone to the Far East. It is a straight road. I saw a dead bird in the garden. That is a very high building. She is a pretty girl. My shoes are too tight. I’m afraid he is not well. (healthy) This is the short way home. |
Adverb
It goes very fast. He works hard. We didn’t walk very far. It runs straight for miles. He was dead drunk. (= intensifier) The birds are flying high. That is a pretty good picture.(= intensifier) Hold tight. He can sing well. The teacher cut him short in the middle of the presentation. (interrupt) http://www.eduhi.at/dl/adverbs_and_adjectives.htm |
Some adverbs have two forms with two different meanings.
He came late.
The team played fair. (= in an honest way) My grandparents live quite near. We had to work hard. The boy climbed high up the tree. He studied deep into the night. The car stopped short at the gate.(in an abrupt way; suddenly) Please be back at 6 o’clock sharp. (= exactly) You guessed wrong. I'm dead certain that the meeting is this afternoon (= very sure) How are you? - I'm fine. (= well) I bought two T-shirts and got the third free (= no payment) |
I haven’t seen him lately. (= recently)
He did fairly well in his examination. (= rather) I nearly made a mistake. (= almost) They could hardly find their way. (= with difficulties) She is highly interested in history.(= very much) He is deeply grateful for our support.(= very much) He will come shortly. (= soon) The father spoke sharply to the boy.(= angrily) He was wrongly accused of the crime. Cyanide is a deadly poinson. This clock is a finely tuned instrument. (= carefully adjusted) Can I speak freely? (= without any hinderment) http://www.eduhi.at/dl/adverbs_and_adjectives.htm |