Quickly, happily, well: -ly adverbs
An adjective describes a noun (a quick runner). An adverb of manner describes a verb and tells how someone does something (he runs quickly). We make most adverbs by adding -ly: slow – slowly, quiet – quietly, careful – carefully. After a consonant + y, we change y to -ily: happy – happily, angry – angrily. Some adverbs are irregular: good – well; fast – fast; hard – hard. Position: the adverb goes after the verb, or after the verb and its object. It does not go between the verb and its object. Correct: She sings beautifully. She carries the box carefully. Wrong: She carries carefully the box. Read about a young volunteer leader on page 80, then use adverbs in your own sentences. Giving back means doing good things for your community, and it can build confidence.
| Adjective | Adverb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| quick | quickly | He runs quickly. |
| quiet | quietly | She speaks quietly. |
| happy | happily | They play happily. |
| angry | angrily | He shouted angrily. |
| good | well | She reads well. |
| fast / hard | fast / hard | He runs fast. We work hard. |
How did the children work, Adel?
They worked hard and carefully.
And how did they talk?
They talked quietly, and they finished quickly.
He runs fast. She sings beautifully. The children work happily. Please close the door quietly.
Adverb actions. The grown-up says Walk slowly, walk quickly, speak quietly, work carefully. The child acts. Then the child writes six sentences: three with -ly adverbs, one with -ily (happily, angrily), one with well and one with fast or hard.