Adverbs of Manner 

Discover the rules for using adverbs of manner, like 'gracefully', 'efficiently', and 'clearly'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.

"Adverbs of Manner" in the English Grammar

What Are Adverbs of Manner?

Adverbs of manner are a type of adverb used to modify verbs and describe how an action or event is done or takes place. They provide information about the way or manner in which something happens.

Adverbs of Manner: Structure

Adverbs of manner can often be formed from adjectives by adding the suffix '-ly'. For example:

quick + -ly → quickly

easy + -ly → easily

quiet + -ly → quietly

When forming adverbs, there can be some changes in the spelling. For example, when an adjective ends in -y we have to change the -y to '-i' and then add -ly:

easy + -ly → easily

happy + -ly → happily

angry + -ly → angrily

If the adjective already has as -ly in the end, we use the phrase in a (...) way/manner to form an adverbial of manner. Pay attention to the examples:

brotherly → in a brotherly manner

Example

He treats his relatives in a brotherly manner.

silly → in a silly way

Example

She behaved in a silly way last night.

deadly → in a deadly way

Example

He stared at his opponent in a deadly way.

Some adverbs of manner have the same form as their corresponding adjectives. These adverbs are called flat adverbs, bare adverbs, or simple adverbs.

hard

Example

She worked hard on that project.

late

Example

Can you stay late?

early

Example

I arrived early.

fast

Example

Our son is growing up fast.

high

Example

He kicked the ball high.

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Warning

Some adjectives have different meanings when they are modified by the '-ly' suffix to become adverbs of manner. For example:

1.

hardly

2.

lately

3.

highly

Example

I was so shocked I could hardly speak.

'Hardly' as an adverb means barely or only just.

What have you been doing lately?

As an adverb, 'lately' means recently or in the recent past.

He's a highly successful athlete.

As an adverb, 'highly' means very or to a great extent.

Adverbs of Manner: Placement

Adverbs of manner are usually placed:

1.

after the main verb and or its object or object phrase

2.

between the auxiliary and the main verb

3.

at the beginning or at the end of a sentence

Example

She plays the piano beautifully.

He couldn't calmly open the safe.

She carefully opened the safe.

Cheetahs run fast.

Warning

Adverbs of manner cannot be placed between a verb and its direct object. Instead, they should be placed either before the verb or at the end of the clause clause (after the verb).

Example

She ate hungrily a slice of bread.

She ate a slice of bread hungrily. Or She hungrily ate a slice of bread.

He walked slowly towards his house.

He walked towards his house slowly.

Tip!

In literary usage, writers may place adverbs of manner at the beginning of a sentence or before a verb + object to draw attention to the adverb and create emphasis.

Example

She kindly took the baby in her arms.

Suddenly she turned back.

Is the Place of Adverbs of Manner Important?

The position of an adverb of manner is important when we have more than one verb in the sentence.

If we put the adverb before or after the main verb, it only describes that verb.

If we put the adverb after a clause, it describes the whole clause.

Example

Mary secretly told Alan to leave her house.

Here, 'secretly' modifies the verb 'tell'

Mary told Alan secretly to leave her house.

Here too, 'secretly' modifies the verb 'tell'

Mary asked Alan to leave her house secretly.

Here, 'secretly' modifies the verb 'leave'

Warning

We cannot use adverbs of manner after linking verbs. We use adjectives instead:

Example

The girl seemed happy. (Not The girl seemed happily.)

The flowers smelled pleasant. (Not The flowers smelled pleasantly.)

Review

Adverbs of manner modify verbs and they are either placed at the end of the sentence or after the subject. Remember we cannot use adverbs of manner with linking verbs, and they never modify linking verbs.

Quiz:


1.

Which sentence uses the correct adverb of manner for the adjective "crazy"?

A

He was crazyly jumping up and down.

B

He was crazy jumping up and down.

C

He was crazily jumping up and down.

D

He was in a crazy way jumping up and down.

2.

Sort the words to form a correct sentence.

relatives
brotherly
a
manner
in
.
his
treats
he
3.

Complete each sentence using the correct adverb form of the adjectives in parentheses.

She opened the gift

and smiled. (careful)

My brother works very

to achieve his goals. (hard)

You should speak more

in a job interview. (polite)

He's a

respected leader in the community. (high)

The children ran

through the field. (happy)

4.

Which sentence places the adverb of manner correctly?

A

The librarian organized quietly the new books.

B

The librarian quietly organized the new books.

C

The librarian organized the new books quietly.

D

B and C

5.

Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.

Gently,
They nervously
The team has been
He plays the piano
awaited the results.
she cradled the injured bird.
efficiently reorganizing the files.
beautifully.

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