Manner adverbs describe how an action is performed, giving more detail about the way something happens. They often end in -ly and modify verbs, making sentences more expressive and precise.
- Explain how actions are done.
- Usually formed by adding -ly to adjectives (quick → quickly).
- Modify verbs to give more detail about the action.
Common Manner Adverbs
| Adverb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quickly | Fast | She runs quickly. |
| Slowly | At a slow pace | He drives slowly. |
| Carefully | With care | They listened carefully. |
| Loudly | With a loud sound | The children shouted loudly. |
| Easily | Without difficulty | She solved the problem easily. |
- Look like adjectives with -ly (except some irregulars: fast, hard, well).
- Can often be placed after the verb or at the end of the sentence for emphasis.
Adverbs of manner describe how, but 'tomorrow' is a time adverb.
Manner adverbs include Softly, Neatly, Bravely.
Common manner adverbs include Quickly, Carefully, and Loudly.
Manner adverbs describe how an action is performed.
Formation of Manner Adverbs
Most manner adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives:
| Adjective | Manner Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quick | Quickly | She finished quickly. |
| Careful | Carefully | Drive carefully. |
| Happy | Happily | They sang happily. |
Exceptions:
- Some adverbs are identical to adjectives: fast, hard, straight.
- Well (not good) is a common manner adverb.
Manner adverbs are usually formed by adding -ly to adjectives.
Fast, hard, and well are exceptions; they don't follow the -ly pattern.
The correct manner adverb form is 'carefully'.
Usage and Position
Manner adverbs usually come:
- After the main verb:
He speaks clearly.
- After the auxiliary verb:
She is working hard.
- At the end of the sentence for emphasis:
They drive carefully.
- Can also modify entire clauses:
Honestly, I don’t know.
Manner adverbs are placed after the verb or auxiliary, or at the end.
Yes, manner adverbs can be placed at the end for emphasis.
Exercises
1. Identify the manner adverbs:
- She smiled happily.
- They will arrive tomorrow.
- He drives carefully.
- I often read books.
- The baby sleeps quietly.
Answers: happily, carefully, quietly
2. Form manner adverbs:
Give the manner adverb form for these adjectives:
- Quick
- Easy
- Brave
- Loud
Answers: Quickly, Easily, Bravely, Loudly
3. Sentence placement:
Rewrite the sentences with the adverb in parentheses correctly placed:
- (Quickly) She finished her homework.
- They (carefully) painted the wall.
- You should speak (clearly).
Answers:
- She finished her homework quickly.
- They carefully painted the wall.
- You should speak clearly.
Conclusion
Manner adverbs are essential for expressing how actions are done, adding clarity and detail to communication.
- Most end in -ly and derive from adjectives.
- They can be placed after verbs or at the end of sentences.
- Common examples include: quickly, slowly, carefully, loudly.
Manner adverbs describe how an action is performed.
'Carefully' is a manner adverb; 'Tomorrow' and 'Very' are not.
Most manner adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives.