Adverbs Formation

Adverbs are expressions that function as modifiers of other elements in the clause. They can provide a wide range of information.

Adverbs can be formed from adjectives according to their suffix. The various cases of the formation of adverbs are:

Regular

• The adverbs are formed by just adding -ly to adjectives.

• Adjective with suffix -y : change to -i before adding -ly.

• If an adjective ends with consonant + -le, -e becomes -y.

• Adjective with suffix -ic: add -ally.

Irregular

Friendly and timely are adjectives and if we want to use them as adverbs, we follow these structures:

• Friendly ⇒ in a friendly manner;
• Timely ⇒ in a timely manner.

Regular

Most of the adverbs

• He was answering slowly.

Adjective with suffix -y

• She easily moved to another flat.

Adjective ending with consonant + -le, -e

• She gently opened the pack of flour.
• You idly ate that tin of tuna.

Adjective with suffix -ic

• They enthusiastically made a jar of marmalade.

Irregular

• She shyly asked a question.
• We offered her some orange juice in a friendly manner.

An adverb is a word that describes or gives more information about a verb, adjective, phrase or another adverb.

Adverbs are expressions that function as modifiers of other elements in the clause. To make adverbs from adjectives we follow a general rule.

For example:
— „Beautiful“ ⇒ „I wrapped a box of biscuits beautifully.“ = Add -ly;

There are some exceptions, depending on the ending of the adjectives.

For example:
— With suffix-y: „Easy„ ⇒ „I can easily drink alcoholic drinks.“ = We change -y to -i and add -ly;
— Consonant + -le: „Noble„ ⇒ „The knight who nobly fought was thirsty.“ = We change -e to -y;
— With suffix -ic: „Drastic„ ⇒ „Steak prices drastically changed.“ = We add -ally.

Some adverbs are irregular and there is no rule for their formation (fully, publicly, in a timely manner…).

For example:
— “Publicly” ⇒ “He publicly continued his speech.”

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. And take a look to the [Examples] that show its use within a context.