Adverbs (B1)

Using and forming adverbs; irregular adverbs; adverb position; modifying adverbs and adjectives

Josh lives in Manchester. The rest of his family live in London. What are they all doing on

Friday morning?

You are going to hear three conversations Josh has later on Friday.

Adjectives tell us about a noun:

He’s a careful cyclist.

Adverbs tell us about a verb:

He cycles carefully.

Adverbs say how often, where, how much, how and when:

I often come here on Friday lunchtimes.

She is waiting patiently at her friend’s house.

Adverbs can be one word or a phrase:

I’m getting on my bike now.

I’m outside my office.

Some verbs (linking verbs) are followed by adjectives not adverbs.

You sound miserable.

That’s unfair.

I feel happy.

Adjective + -ly => adverb

perfect + -ly => perfectly

usual+ -ly=>usually

Some words look like adverbs because they end -ly but they are adjectives (e.g. friendly,

likely, lonely, lovely, silly, ugly):

He was a friendly man.

He told me a silly story.

We don’t make adverbs from these adjectives.

We use a phrase:

He spoke in a friendly way.

Well is the adverb for good.

Well is also an adjective (= not ill)

He’s a good boss. He treats us well.

I had stomach-ache last week but I’m well this week.

Most adverbs usually go after the verb.

If there are several adverbs, they go in this order:

HOW? WHERE? WHEN?

Josh cycled quickly to the station at one o’clock.

When? adverbs can sometimes go at the beginning of the sentence.

At one o’clock Josh cycled quickly to the station.

How often? adverbs usually go:

Before a one-word verb:

I never see you.

Before the second part of a two-part verb:

I’ve never forgotten you.

BUT after am/is/are/was/were

I’m often late.

The adverbs already, also, just, still, even and only usually go in the same place as how often? adverbs:

I’m still at the station. I’ve just arrived.

Adverbs do not go between the verb and its object:

We say:

I’m still at the station. I’ve just arrived.

He speaks Spanish very well.

not: He speaks very well Spanish.

Some adverbs change the meaning of adjectives or other adverbs:

She’ll be really pleased to see you.

I cycle very quickly.

Complete these sentences using an adverb from the box and an adjective you choose.

very | really | extremely | fairly | rather | quite

e.g. My town is very crowded in summer.