IELTS Basic Grammar - Adverbs and Adverb Phrases
Adverbs are words that tell you more about verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. Many adverbs end in ly. You make these adverbs by adding ly to adjectives.
" She writes neatly."
" The traffic was moving slowly."
" We waited patiently to see the doctor."
" They waved goodbye sadly."
Adverb phrases are groups of words that functions as single adverbs to describe the action of the verb.
" Are you sitting in a comfortable chair?"
" Mr Dickson always dresses in fashionable clothes."
" He draws cartoons like a real cartoonist."
" The train arrived on time."
Some adverbs and adverb phrases describe the way people do things. They answer the question “How?”
" The girls answered all the questions correctly."
" He was driving carelessly."
" The plane landed safely."
" Katy plays the piano skillfully."
" Sam is behaving like a baby. "
Some adverbs and adverb phrases answer the question “when?” They are called adverbs of time.
" I’m going to my new school tomorrow."
" The train has already left."
" We moved into our new house last week."
" My big brother goes to college in the autumn. "
Some adverbs and adverb phrases answer the question “where?” They are called adverbs of place.
" It’s very sunny but cold outside."
" The boys are playing upstairs."
" That’s our ball there. "
Some adverbs and adverb phrases answer the question “how often?” They are called adverbs of frequency.
" Katy practices the piano regularly."
" The children always go to school on the bus."
" I’ll never make that mistake again."
" Have you ever been to Japan? "
Some adverbs and adverb phrases answer the question “how long?”
" They are called adverbs of duration."
" The library is temporarily closed."
" We’re staying in a hotel overnight."
" The teacher left the classroom briefly."
We have seen that most adverbs describe verbs, but remember that some adverbs also describe adjectives or other adverbs. They are usually used to add emphasis.
" Anna can run really ."
" That’s a very drawing."
" My rice is too ."
" The film was just ."
" Your excuses are completely . "
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