Types of adverbs

Adverbs are an important element in English grammar. They are used frequently to modify sentences. There are many types of adverbs, so what role does each type play in a sentence and how common are adverbs? Let EnglishTopVN help you learn about common types of adverbs in English

According to function, adverbs are divided into 7 main types.

1. Adverbs of manner

-Adverbs of manner is formed by adding the suffix “ly” after the adjective.

For example:

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

How to use: Describe how the action happens.

Location: middle or end of a sentence, if standing in the middle of a sentence, the adverb of manner usually comes after the verb or after the object.

For example:

  • He can speak French fluently.

Types of adverbs

However there is one exception:

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 are adverbs that often answer the question “When”, indicating the time an action occurs.

For example:  yesterday, tomorrow, next year,…

How to use: Describes a time, an event that happens or is done, an action,...

Location: Usually stands at the end or beginning of a sentence to emphasize the time of occurrence.

For example:

  • Yesterday, they dropped in my house but I couldn't remember who they are.

3. Adverbs of frequency

Frequency adverbs

Always

Usually

Normally

Generally

Often

Hardly

Rarely

Never

Sometimes

Means Always Frequent

Normally 

Usually

Almost never

Seldom

Never

Sometimes


- How to use
 Frequency adverbs: Describes, shows the level of quality, event, thing, state, condition, relationship, ...

Location: Usually stands in the middle of a sentence.

For example:

  • The building was completely destroyed after the earthquake.

Types of adverbs

4. Adverbs of place

-Adverbs indicating place used to answer the question "Where”.

For example: here, there, out, away, everywhere, below, along, around, away,…

How to use: describe where something or event happens or where.

Location: Usually placed in the middle of a sentence, right after the main verb or after the clause it modifies.

For example:

  • Let’s open the box and see what’s inside it

  • She goes everywhere with her husband.

Types of adverbs

5.Adverbs of Degree

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

How to use: Describe and show the level of quality, event, thing, state, condition, relationship

Location: Usually stands in the middle of a sentence.

For example:

  • The building was completely destroyed after the earthquake.

6. Adverbs of Evaluation - Adverbs of evaluation and estimation

- Some common adverbs: absolutely, definitely, apparently, clearly, honestly, fortunately, unfortunately, frankly, bravely, carelessly, hopefully, …. .

How to use: Used to point out, comment on, and give an opinion on a certain event, the adverbs of estimate and evaluation often modify the entire clause or sentence.

Location: Usually comes at the beginning or middle of a sentence.

For example: 

  • Fortunately, they escaped from the fire. (Luckily, they escaped the fire.)

7. Conjunctive adverbs - Conjunctive adverbs

- Some common adverbs: besides, moreover, however, indeed, meanwhile, consequently, furthermore, otherwise, therefore, likewise, thus, additionally, comparatively, finally, next, hence, accordingly,... .

How to use: Functions as a conjunction, connecting two clauses or sentences.

Location: Usually at the beginning of a sentence to link two sentences together or in the middle of a sentence to connect two clauses.

For example: 

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