Describing nouns vs describing actions
An adjective describes a noun (a quick answer). An adverb describes a verb, adjective or another adverb (She answered quickly). Many adverbs are made by adding -ly to the adjective.
Adjective (describes a noun)
- a quick answer
- a careful driver
- She is happy.
Adverb (describes a verb)
- She answered quickly.
- He drives carefully.
- She smiled happily.
Making adverbs
| Rule | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| add -ly | slow, careful, quiet | slowly, carefully, quietly |
| consonant + y → -ily | happy, easy, angry | happily, easily, angrily |
| ending in -le → -ly | gentle, simple, terrible | gently, simply, terribly |
| spelling changes | true, full, whole | truly, fully, wholly |
Irregular and tricky pairs
| Adjective | Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| good | well | She is a good singer. She sings well. |
| fast | fast | a fast car; He drives fast. |
| hard | hard | a hard exam; She works hard. (hardly = almost not) |
| late | late | the late train; We arrived late. (lately = recently) |
| early | early | an early start; I got up early. |
Rule
After linking verbs use an adjective
- be, seem, look, feel, sound, taste, smell, become, get are followed by adjectives: She looks tired. The soup tastes good.
- Use well (not “good”) for health: I don’t feel well. (well can be an adjective meaning healthy)
- Adverbs of degree (very, quite, really, extremely) go before adjectives and adverbs: very quickly.
Lots of examples
- He is a careful driver. He drives carefully.Adjective / adverb.
- She speaks English fluently.Adverb.
- The exam was easy. I passed it easily.Adjective / adverb.
- It smells delicious!Linking verb + adjective.
- You look great today.Linking verb + adjective.
- He runs fast.Fast = adverb too.
- She works hard and plays hard.Hard = adverb.
- I hardly ever eat meat.Hardly = almost never.
- The film was really good.Really modifies good.
- He plays the guitar well.Well = adverb of good.
- Speak slowly, please.Adverb of manner.
- They arrived late because the train was late.Both uses.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayShe sings good.
SayShe sings well.Why: Describing the verb sings.
Don’t sayHe drives careful.
SayHe drives carefully.Why: Use the adverb.
Don’t sayThe soup tastes well.
SayThe soup tastes good.Why: Linking verb → adjective.
Don’t sayI feel badly about it.
SayI feel bad about it.Why: Feel is a linking verb.
Don’t sayShe works hardly.
SayShe works hard.Why: Hardly means almost not.