adverbs of manner
Adverbs of manner are usually formed from adjectives by adding –ly:
bad > badly; quiet > quietly; recent > recently; sudden > suddenly
but there are sometimes changes in spelling:
easy > easily; gentle > gently
If an adjective ends in –ly we use the phrase in a …. way to express manner:
Silly > He behaved in a silly way.
Friendly > She spoke in a friendly way.
A few adverbs of manner have the same form as the adjective:
They all worked hard.
She usually arrives late.
I hate driving fast.
Note: hardly and lately have different meanings:
He could hardly walk = It was difficult for him to walk.
I haven’t seen John lately = I haven’t seen John recently.
We often use phrases with like as adverbials of manner:
She slept like a baby.
He ran like a rabbit.
Adverbs of manner and link verbs
We very often use adverbials with like after link verbs:
Her hands felt like ice.
It smells like fresh bread.
But we do not use other adverbials of manner after link verbs. We use adjectives instead:
They looked happily happy.
That bread smells deliciously delicious.
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please; would you explain me more the difference between an adverb and a link verb .
Hi magnoly,
Thanks for your question - adverbs are always causing trouble for my students, too.
Link verbs are verbs used to link subjects to another part of the sentence which then describes something about that subject.
Adverbs are a very big word class, but I would describe simply them as words that add information, either to clauses or single words.
We have a page about link verbs that may help you.
Stephen Jones
The LearnEnglish Team
Please Can you give me a short note to know the differences between verbs and link verbs ?
She usually arrives late ,,, Why its not a link verb?
I am very glad to learn english with you
why do you say: we have to act strong
but you say: I strongly advise you / they felt strongly about the increased taxes
strong is an adjective, and strongly is the adverb of strong.
so why don't you say: we have to act strongly?
Hello elan,
I've been asked this question before by one of my students. Although I don't know the context in which this case of 'we have to act strong' comes from, this usage is usually because of the American English tendency to use adjective forms when British English would more commonly use the adverb.
In recent times, even British people have started using the adjectives in place of the adverb, and most grammar guides would now point out that both 'act strong' and 'act strongly' would be acceptable (unless it was in a specific grammar exam!). However, I'm sure you'd find teachers who disagree and would prefer a clear difference between adjectives and adverbs.
Regards,
Stephen Jones
The LearnEnglish Team
Im very glad to learn english
Wow ! Im getting addicted.Very pleased with the result.Thanks a lot :)
I am enjoy this page, I`m learning a lot.
itc an interesting exercise.