Adverbs of Manner
Describe how actions are done by adding -ly to adjectives, plus irregulars like well, fast and hard. A2 grammar with 20 questions.
An adverb of manner tells us how someone does something. An adjective describes a noun (a careful driver); an adverb describes a verb (she drives carefully). Most are made by adding -ly to an adjective.
Making adverbs: add -ly
| Adjective | Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| slow | slowly | He speaks slowly. |
| quiet | quietly | She closed the door quietly. |
| careful | carefully | Drive carefully! |
| happy | happily | The children played happily. (y → ily) |
Spelling noteIf the adjective ends in -y, change it to -ily: happy → happily, easy → easily. Most others just add -ly.
Irregular adverbs
A few important adverbs do not follow the -ly rule.
| Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|
| good | well |
| fast | fast (no change) |
| hard | hard (no change) |
| early | early (no change) |
good vs wellGood is an adjective (a good student). Well is the adverb (She speaks English well). Don’t say “She speaks good.”
Adjective or adverb?
- Aisha is a careful student. (adjective — describes “student”)
- Aisha studies carefully. (adverb — describes “studies”)
- Omar is a good driver. He drives well.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersThe key question is: are you describing a thing/person (use an adjective) or an action (use an adverb)? “A quiet room” (adjective + noun) vs “speak quietly” (verb + adverb). And remember the special pair: good (adjective) / well (adverb).
Common mistakes
- She speaks English good. → She speaks English well.
- He drives careful. → He drives carefully.
- Run quick! → Run quickly!
Practise adverbs of manner with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1.Adverb of "slow":
slow → slowly.
2.Adverb of "careful":
careful → carefully.
3.Adverb of "quiet":
quiet → quietly.
4.Adverb of "happy":
y → ily: happily.
5.Adverb of "easy":
easy → easily.
6.Adverb of "good":
good → well (irregular).
7.Adverb of "fast":
fast does not change.
8.Adverb of "hard" (working):
hard stays hard ("hardly" means "almost not"!).
9."He speaks ___." (slow)
describes "speaks" → slowly.
10."Drive ___!" (careful)
describes "drive" → carefully.
11.Which is correct?
verb + adverb: well.
12.Which is correct?
drives carefully.
13.Which is correct?
verb + adverb: quickly.
14.Adjective or adverb? "Aisha is a ___ student."
before a noun → adjective: careful.
15.Adjective or adverb? "Aisha studies ___."
describes a verb → carefully.
16."Omar is a ___ driver." (good)
before noun → adjective: good.
17."Omar drives ___." (good)
describes a verb → well.
18."The children played ___." (happy)
happily.
19."She sings ___." (beautiful)
beautiful → beautifully.
20."They arrived ___." (early)
early does not change.
Want feedback from a real tutor on your reading, writing and speaking?
Book a Free Consultation