Types of adverbs

Based on their function, adverbs are classified into seven main types.

1. Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner are formed by adding the suffix “-ly” to adjectives.

Examples:

Exclusive – Exclusively; Recent – Recently; Beautiful – Beautifully,…

Usage: Describe how an action is performed.

Position: Typically placed in the middle or at the end of a sentence. When in the middle, they usually follow the verb or the object.

Example:

• He can speak French fluently.

However, there are exceptions:

Adjective	fast	hard	late	good	fair	cheap	early	much	little
Adverb	fast	hard	late	well	fair	cheap	early	much	little

2. Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of time answer the question “When” and indicate the time an action occurs.

Examples: yesterday, tomorrow, next year,…

Usage: Describe the time an event or action occurs.

Position: Usually placed at the end or beginning of a sentence to emphasize the time.

Example:

• Yesterday, they dropped by my house, but I couldn’t remember who they were.

3. Adverbs of Frequency

Adverb of Frequency

Always

Usually

Normally Generally

Often

Hardly

Rarely

Never

Sometimes

Usage: Express the frequency or degree of an action, quality, event, state, or relationship.

Position: Usually placed in the middle of a sentence.

Example:

• The building was completely destroyed after the earthquake.

4. Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of place answer the question “Where”.

Examples: here, there, out, away, everywhere, below, along, around,…

Usage: Indicate the location where an event or action occurs.

Position: Typically placed in the middle of a sentence, immediately after the main verb or the clause it modifies.

Examples:

• Let’s open the box and see what’s inside it.
• She goes everywhere with her husband.

5. Adverbs of Degree

Common adverbs include: quite, too, enormously, almost, just, completely, enough, deeply, virtually, fully, greatly, hardly, terribly, fairly, entirely, practically,...

Usage: Express the degree or extent of a quality, event, object, state, or relationship.

Position: Usually placed in the middle of a sentence.

Example:

• The building was completely destroyed after the earthquake.

6. Adverbs of Evaluation

Common adverbs: absolutely, definitely, apparently, clearly, honestly, fortunately, unfortunately, frankly, bravely, carelessly, hopefully,…

Usage: Used to evaluate, comment, or express an opinion about an event, typically modifying an entire clause or sentence.

Position: Usually placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

Example:

• Fortunately, they escaped from the fire.

7. Conjunctive Adverbs

Common adverbs: besides, moreover, however, indeed, meanwhile, consequently, furthermore, otherwise, therefore, likewise, thus, additionally, comparatively, finally, next, hence, accordingly,…

Usage: Function like conjunctions, connecting two clauses or sentences.

Position: Typically placed at the beginning of a sentence to connect two sentences or in the middle to connect two clauses.

Example:

• The government went through the decision of destroying historic buildings. Consequently, there aren’t any places of interest here.