What are Adverbs and What Do They Do?
Adverbs are powerful words that add detail to your sentences. They answer questions like how, when, where, or how often an action happens.
- They describe verbs (actions): She sings beautifully. (How does she sing?)
- They describe adjectives (describing words): It was a truly amazing film. (How amazing?)
- They describe other adverbs: He drives very quickly. (How quickly?)
✍️ Not sure which level you are?
Take our free placement test and get personalized feedback from certified Cambridge examiners.
Take our FREE Placement TestHow Do We Form Adverbs?
Most adverbs are easy to form! You usually add -ly to the end of an adjective.
- quick (adjective) → quickly (adverb)
- careful (adjective) → carefully (adverb)
- happy (adjective) → happily (adverb) (Note: y changes to i before -ly)
However, some adverbs are irregular or have the same form as the adjective:
- good (adjective) → well (adverb)
- fast (adjective) → fast (adverb)
- hard (adjective) → hard (adverb)
Where Do Adverbs Go in a Sentence?
The position of an adverb can change, but here are some common places:
- After the verb: This is common for adverbs of manner (how something happens).
She speaks English well. - Before the main verb: This is common for adverbs of frequency (how often).
I often read books. - At the beginning or end of a sentence: Especially for adverbs of time or place.
Yesterday, I went to the park. or I went to the park yesterday.
At A2 level, focus on placing adverbs of manner after the verb, and adverbs of frequency before the main verb.
| Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|
| quick | quickly |
| careful | carefully |
| happy | happily |
| bad | badly |
| slow | slowly |
| easy | easily |
| good | well |
| fast | fast |
| hard | hard |
Examples
- He walks slowly.
- She sings beautifully.
- They played the game badly.
- The train arrived early.
- He drives very fast.
- I always eat breakfast.
Practice
Ready to earn your certificate?
Langcom prepares students for Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, DELE, SIELE and Michigan exams.
Get started with LangcomCommon mistakes for Spanish speakers
Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs
A common mistake for Spanish speakers is using an adjective instead of an adverb, especially with good and well. Remember:
- Good is an adjective. It describes a noun. She is a good student. (NOT She is a well student.)
- Well is an adverb. It describes a verb. She speaks English well. (NOT She speaks English good.)
Another example: He is a quick runner. (adjective) vs. He runs quickly. (adverb).
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between an adjective and an adverb?
An adjective describes a noun (a person, place, or thing), like a happy child. An adverb describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, telling how, when, or where, like The child smiled happily.
Are all adverbs formed with -ly?
No, most adverbs are formed with -ly, but there are many irregular adverbs. For example, well is the adverb form of good, and fast is both an adjective and an adverb.
Can adverbs be used in the A2 Key English exam?
Yes, understanding adverbs is important for the A2 Key exam. You might see them in Reading and Writing tasks, for example, choosing the correct word to complete a sentence or transforming a sentence using an adverb to describe an action more precisely.
Do adverbs always go at the end of a sentence?
Not always. While many adverbs of manner (like quickly, slowly) often go after the verb, adverbs of frequency (like always, never) usually go before the main verb. Adverbs of time or place can often go at the beginning or end.
0 Comments