ADVERB

An adverb normally modifies verbs, verbals (infinitives, gerunds, and participles), adjectives, adverbs, phrases,
clauses, or complete sentences.

TYPE OF ADVERBS

When we classify adverbs according to meaning, we divide them into categories.

a. Adverb of place/location or direction

These adverbs answer the question “where?”. Here’s a partial list:

Here there inside outside back

Away upstairs downstairs downtown east

Examples: It’s raining outside. He works downtown.

b. Adverb of manner
1. They answer the question “how?”. Adverb of manner are usually formed by adding an –ly suffix
to an adjective. Here’s a partial list:

easily differently slowly quickly

loudly carefully suddenly possibly

example: Why is that man walking so slowly?

I’d do things differently if I were you.

2. A few adverbs of manner have the same forms as the adjectives.

Fast early near low

Hard late far high

Example: Don’t drive so fast. George works hard.

c. Adverb of frequency
They answer the question “how often?”. Here’s a partial list:

Always sometimes usually occasionally

Never frequently seldom often

Example: We sometimes eat out on Sunday night.

We don’t go downtown very often.
d. Adverb of degree
These adverbs answer the question “how much?”. Here’s a partial list:

A little quite rather really very barely

scarcely extremely too almost so

Example: It was quite hot yesterday afternoon.

We were extremely tired after the long plane trip.

TOO AND VERY

The usage of very versus too might be confusing to some people.

a. Very means “a lot” or “much.”

Example: I like to drink my coffee very hot.

The mountain is very pretty in the spring.

b. Too means “more than enough”. It involves the idea of qualification with an infinitive phrase.

Example: It’s too hot to drink.

That camera was too expensive to buy.

c. Even if the qualification is missing, too refers to previous situation.

Example: I didn’t go because I was too tired (to go).

I can’t wear these pants because they are too long (to wear).

e. Adverb of Time or Duration

They answer the question “when?”. Here’s a partial list:

Soon tonight yesterday any longer yet

Still already anymore eventually just
Later today tomorrow initially early

Example: Sara left work early. The children eventually became friend.

YET/ALREADY/STILL/ANYMORE/ANY LONGER
The adverbs yet, already, still, anymore, and any longer can sometimes be confusing in meaning and
sentence placement.

a. Yet shows that we expect some action to take place in the future. It is used in yes/no question and
negative statements at the end of the sentence.

Example: Has Mary received her degree yet?

No, I haven’t mailed the letter yet.

b. Already shows that an expected activity has happened. It’s used in yes/no questions and
affirmative statements, usually in the middle of the sentence.
Example: Have you already received the package?
Dinner has already been served.

c. Still shows that a situation continues to exist from the past to the present. It’s used in yes/no
questions and statements in the middle of the sentence.

Example: Do you still study English? Yes, I still study English.

They still work in the farm.

d. Anymore and any longer show that a past situation is over and doesn’t continue to exist. It’s used
in yes/no questions and negative statements at the end of the sentence or clause. It’s frequently
used with still to show a contrast.

Example: I never go to California anymore/any longer.

We don’t go to the gym anymore/any longer but we still exercise.