Adverbs: General


Mrs.Jenner sang softly. (Most common word order.)

Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Also possible.)

Mrs. Jenner softly sang a lullaby.

Mrs. Jenner sang a lullaby softly.


Adverbs may come between a main verb and its auxiliaries.

Mrs. Jenner is softly singing a lullaby.



Some time and frequency adverbs are “movable.” That is, they can be placed at various points in a sentence.

Yesterday I visited the dentist.

I visited the dentist yesterday.

Jack Prompt is here already.

Jack Prompt is already here.



I yesterday visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

I already visited the dentist. (Okay.)

Already I visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

Adverbs such as quite, very, really, extremely, and absolutely are used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.

They come directly before the words they describe.

Greg is quite happy with his new boss.

Sue eats very slowly.

You’re absolutely right!

Many adverbs can be formed by adding –ly to adjectives:

Carl is a quick runner.
Carl runs


Carl is a fast runner. (Adjective)

Carl runs fast. (Adverb)

Jill is a good student. (Adjective)

Jill studies well. (Adverb)


--> Be careful with words like hardly and lately, which have no relation to the adjectives/adverbs hard and late.

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