Grammar · Adverbs
The words that describe the action
An adverb tells you more about a verb — usually how, when, where or how often something happens. Many (but not all) end in -ly. In Stage 1 you'll spot adverbs, sort them by what they tell you, and tell them apart from adjectives. Learn each below.
1 What an adverb does
An adverb most often describes a verb — it adds detail to the action.
She sang beautifully. · He ran fast. · They waited patiently. ✓
Test: does the word tell you more about HOW/WHEN/WHERE the action happens? Then it's an adverb.
2 The kinds of adverb
Adverbs answer different questions about the verb.
Manner (how)quickly, gently, loudly, well
Time (when)soon, yesterday, now, later
Place (where)here, there, outside, everywhere
Frequency (how often)always, never, often, sometimes
3 Many adverbs end in -ly
You can often make an adverb by adding -ly to an adjective.
quick → quickly · soft → softly · happy → happily (y→i) · gentle → gently (drop e, add y) ✓
But not all: 'fast', 'soon', 'here', 'well' are adverbs with no -ly.
4 Adverbs can describe adjectives too
An adverb can also make an adjective or another adverb stronger or weaker.
It was very cold. · She is extremely kind. · He ran really quickly. ✓
Words like very, quite, really, too, so are adverbs here.
Watch out Adverb vs adjective
An adjective describes a noun; an adverb describes a verb. The same idea often has both forms.
a quick runner (adjective → 'runner') vs she ran quickly (adverb → 'ran'). ✓
Trap: after 'is', 'looks', 'seems', use an adjective — "the cake looks lovely" (not lovelily).
The 30-second method
How to handle any adverb question fast
- Spotting one? Find the verb, then the word telling you how/when/where it happens.
- -ly ending is a strong clue — but check it's describing a verb, not a noun.
- Which kind? Ask: how? (manner), when? (time), where? (place), how often? (frequency).
- Describing an adjective? Words like 'very' and 'really' are adverbs too.
- Adverb or adjective? Describes a verb = adverb; describes a noun = adjective.
10 worked examples
Read the question, then the answer with the rule that solves it.
1. Which is the adverb? — The dog barked loudly.
loudly — it tells how the dog barked (Rule 1).
2. What does 'soon' tell us? — We will leave soon.
When — it's an adverb of time (Rule 2).
3. What does 'outside' tell us? — They played outside.
Where — an adverb of place (Rule 2).
4. What does 'never' tell us? — She never gives up.
How often — an adverb of frequency (Rule 2).
5. Make an adverb from 'careful'.
carefully — add -ly (Rule 3).
6. Make an adverb from 'happy'.
happily — change y to i, add -ly (Rule 3).
7. Is 'fast' an adverb here? — He ran fast.
Yes — it tells how he ran, with no -ly (Rule 3).
8. What is 'very' doing? — It was very hot.
An adverb making the adjective 'hot' stronger (Rule 4).
9. Adverb or adjective? — a slow train.
Adjective — it describes the noun 'train' (Watch out).
10. Adverb or adjective? — the train moved slowly.
Adverb — it describes how the train moved (Watch out).