Examples: slowly, mildly, quietly
2. Some words can either be adjectives or adverbs depending on the manner they are used.
Example: "high"
- The cat climbed up a high tree. ("high" used as an adjective)
- The bird flew high in the sky. ("high" used as an adverb)
3. Some adverbs have two (2) forms: one which has "-ly" added to it, and the other without the "-ly". The two 2 forms have different meanings.
Example: "late"
- He arrived late.
- Lately, he couldn't seem to be on time for anything.
4. Some adverbs don't even have a "-ly" form.
Examples: long, fast, early
5. Some adjectives have "-ly" added to it.
Examples: hourly, lovely, early
6. Adverbs are used with action verbs; adjectives are used with linking verbs.
Examples:
- He speaks clearly. ("speaks" is an action verb)
- Angel and Bea are hungry ("are" is a linking verb)
7. With regard to adjectives that compare:
a. Just add "-er" and "est" for some short adjectives
Example: big, bigger, biggest
b. Use "more" and "most" or "less" and "least" when it comes to some longer adjectives and adverbs.
Example:
- beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful
- skillful, less skillful, least skillful
c. Note the irregular adverb and adjectives.
Examples:
- badly, worse, worst
- bad, worse, worst
d. Some adjectives are already superlative.
Examples: first, only, perfect
8. Where you place the adverb affects the meaning of the sentence.
Examples:
- We only rode the cab.
- We rode only the cab.
Attribution to Rebecca Elliot and her book Painless Grammar (c) 2006, 1997
Conjunction tips are next.
