English Grammar Guide for ESL

ADVERBS

In this section: Description, Exercises

Description

Adverbs

Adverbs give more information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. They often tell us how, when, where, or how often something happens.

Examples:

  • She speaks quickly. (how?)

  • They arrived early. (when?)

  • Please sit here. (where?)

  • I often read before bed. (how often?)

Common Adverbs

Here are some common adverbs:

  • here

  • there

  • sometimes

  • early

  • late

  • never

  • often

  • quickly

Examples:

  • Come here.

  • We sometimes eat out.

  • He never drinks coffee.

  • She finished the test quickly.

How to Form Adverbs

Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective.

Adjective Adverb
quick quickly
nice nicely
careful carefully
happy happily

Examples:

  • She speaks nicely.

  • He worked carefully.

Irregular Adverbs

Some common adverbs have special forms.

Adjective Adverb
good well
bad poorly

Examples:

  • She is a good singer. → She sings well.

  • He did a bad job. → He performed poorly.

⚠️ Do not write goodly.

❌ He sings goodly.
✅ He sings well.

Adverb Word Order

1. Adverbs of Manner (How?)

Adverbs of manner often come:

  • before the main verb, or

  • at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

  • I quickly read the book.

  • I read the book quickly.

Do not put the adverb between the verb and its object.

❌ I read quickly the book.
✅ I quickly read the book.
✅ I read the book quickly.

2. Adverbs of Time (When?)

Adverbs of time usually come at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Examples:

  • Yesterday, I saw your brother.

  • I saw your brother yesterday.

Do not put them between the subject and the verb or between the verb and the object.

❌ I yesterday saw your brother.
❌ I saw yesterday your brother.
✅ Yesterday, I saw your brother.
✅ I saw your brother yesterday.

3. Sentences with Auxiliary Verbs

When a sentence has an auxiliary verb (will, can, have, is, are, etc.) and a main verb, place the adverb between them.

Examples:

  • I will happily help you.

  • She has carefully checked her work.

  • They are currently studying English.

Pattern:

auxiliary verb + adverb + main verb

  • will quickly finish

  • has carefully prepared

  • can easily understand

Remember

  • Many adverbs end in -ly.

  • Adverbs often describe how, when, where, or how often.

  • Do not place an adverb between a verb and its object.

  • With auxiliary verbs, put the adverb between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

In this section: Description, Exercises
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