Grammar in focus
What adverbs do
Adverbs modify verbs (runs fast), adjectives (very tall) or other adverbs (really slowly).
| Type | Examples | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Manner (how?) | slowly, carefully, well, fast | after the verb / object |
| Frequency (how often?) | always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never | before the main verb, after be |
| Place (where?) | here, there, nearby | after the verb |
| Time (when?) | yesterday, now, later, soon | end (or start) of the sentence |
| Degree (how much?) | very, really, extremely, too, almost | before an adjective / adverb |
Forming adverbs of manner
- adjective + -ly: slow → slowly, careful → carefully.
- -y → -ily: happy → happily, easy → easily.
- Irregular: good → well. Same form: fast, hard, late, early.
Watch out
- hard (with effort) ≠ hardly (almost not). late (not on time) ≠ lately (recently).
- Adjective after be/look/feel/taste: She is happy. Adverb after action verbs: She sings happily.
- Very modifies adjectives, not verbs:
I very like→ I really like.
En español
Los adverbios modifican verbos, adjetivos u otros adverbios. Los de modo suelen formarse con -ly (slowly, como -mente). Good → well. Los de frecuencia van antes del verbo principal y después de be.
US vs UK
This book teaches American English. These are the differences you will notice with British English on this topic.
Informal American speech sometimes uses adjectives as adverbs (slow, real good). In exams use the -ly form.
El americano informal usa adjetivos como adverbios (slow, real good). En exámenes usa -ly.
Real quick is very common informal American English.
Real quick es muy común en el americano informal.
Adverb position is the same; the participle differs.
La posición del adverbio es igual; cambia el participio.
Exam practice
- Five parts, like a certification exam: multiple choice, open cloze, error identification, sentence transformation and US vs UK.
- Typed answers accept American spelling and contractions (don't = do not).
- Every item has feedback in English and Spanish. Items and options change order on every attempt.
- Only Exam mode saves your score to your progress. You pass with 70%.
Practice mode
No timer. Check each part as you go and read the feedback.
Exam mode
25 minutes. Feedback at the end. Your best score is saved.