Adverbs
Adverbs help us give more information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb. They tell us how, when, where, or how often something happens.
Before this, learn: Parts of speech
1.Types of Adverbs
1.1Adverbs of Frequency
These adverbs tell us how often something happens.
Examples: always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never etc.
Adverbs of frequency usually go before the main verb, but after the verb 'to be'.
| Example | Verb |
|---|---|
| I always eat breakfast at 7 a.m. | eat |
| She often goes to the gym after work. | goes |
| They rarely watch TV. | watch |
| He is never late. | is |
Usually, often, sometimes and occasionally can also go at the beginning or at the end of a sentence, but the most natural and common position is still before the main verb / after the verb 'to be'. Always and never stay in the middle position.
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1.2Adverbs of Time
These adverbs tell us when something happens.
Examples: now, today, yesterday, tomorrow, soon, later, last night etc.
Adverbs of time are usually placed at the end of the sentence, but they can also go at the beginning.
| Example |
|---|
| We will meet tomorrow. |
| I finished the report yesterday. |
| Today, I'm feeling great! |
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1.3Adverbs of Place
These adverbs tell us where something happens.
Examples: here, there, everywhere, outside, inside, upstairs etc.
Adverbs of place usually go after the main verb or at the end of the sentence.
| Example |
|---|
| She is waiting outside. |
| The kids are playing upstairs. |
| Come here, please. |
| We looked everywhere, but couldn't find it. |
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1.4Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner tell us how something happens. They describe the way someone does an action.
Examples: quickly, carefully, loudly, happily, easily, well etc.
Adverbs of manner usually go after the main verb or after the object (if there's one). Sometimes we can place them at the beginning of a sentence.
| Example | Place |
|---|---|
| He speaks loudly. | after the main verb |
| She dances well. | after the main verb |
| He plays the guitar well. | after the object |
| They are building the house carefully. | after the object |
| Happily, they went on vacation. | at the beginning |
Test yourself
2.Frequently asked questions
What are adverbs of frequency, time, place and manner?
Adverbs of frequency say how often something happens, adverbs of time say when, adverbs of place say where, and adverbs of manner say how. In "She usually walks to school", "usually" is an adverb of frequency; in "We met yesterday", "yesterday" is an adverb of time; in "The kids are playing upstairs", "upstairs" is an adverb of place; and in "He speaks loudly", "loudly" is an adverb of manner. To find the type, ask which question the adverb answers: how often, when, where or how?
Where do adverbs of frequency go in a sentence?
Adverbs of frequency usually go before the main verb but after the verb to be: "I always eat breakfast", but "He is never late". So say "She always runs to school", not "She runs always to school", and "They are often busy", not "They often are busy". Sometimes and often can also go at the start or end of a sentence ("Sometimes I walk to work"), but always and never normally stay in the middle.
Adverb position: is it correct to say 'He speaks well English'?
No, don't put an adverb of manner between the verb and its object: say "He speaks English well", not "He speaks well English". The object comes straight after the verb, and the adverb of manner follows it: "He plays the guitar well", "Please read the instructions carefully". When there is no object, the adverb goes right after the verb: "She dances well", "The baby is crying loudly".
Good or well: which one is the adverb?
Well is the adverb and good is the adjective, so say "She dances well", not "She dances good". Use good before a noun ("a good dancer") or after the verb to be ("The food is good"). Use well to describe how someone does an action: "He plays tennis well", "I did well on the test". In answer to "How are you?", both "I'm good" and "I'm well" are common; "I'm well" can also mean you are not ill.
Where do frequency phrases like 'once a week' and 'every day' go in a sentence?
Frequency phrases like "every day" and "once a week" usually go at the end of the sentence: "I check my email every day". They are more exact than often or sometimes. Build them with once, twice or three times + a + day, week, month or year ("We have English twice a week"), or with every ("every month", "every three months"). Say "She visits her parents once a week", not "She once a week visits her parents".
