Page 177 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

A d j e c t i v e s a n d a d v e r b s

We use an adverb, not an adjective
• to say how something happened or was done:
• I've always greatly enjoyed his novels, (not ...great enjoyed...)
• The people who work in that shop always talk politely to customers, (not ...polite...)
• to modify adjectives, including participle adjectives (see Unit 85):
• It was strangely quiet in the room. • They had a beautifully furnished house.

Some adverbs are formed from an adjective + -ly: happy —* happily, etc. When an adjective
already ends in -ly (e.g. cowardly, friendly, kindly, lively, lonely) we don't add -ly to it to make
an adverb. Instead we can use a prepositional phrase with fashion, manner, or way:
• He smiled at me in a friendly way. • She waved her hands around in a lively fashion.
Most participle adjectives ending in -ed (see Unit 85) don't have an adverb form and we can use
a similar prepositional phrase:
• They rose to greet me in a subdued manner.
• She walked around the room in an agitated way. (or ...in agitation.)
However, some do have an adverb form with -ly, including the following common ones:
allegedly, belatedly, contentedly, dejectedly, deservedly, excitedly, hurriedly, markedly, pointedly,
repeatedly, reportedly, reputedly, supposedly, unexpectedly, wholeheartedly, wickedly:
• The weather had turned unexpectedly stormy.

Some adverbs have two forms, one ending -ly and the other not. We can sometimes use either of
the two forms of the adverb without changing the meaning, although the form ending in -ly is
more usual in a formal style:
• I'll be there as quick(ly) as I can. • Try to sing loud(ly) in the last verse.
Other words like this include cheap(ly), clean(ly), clear(ly), fine(ly), slow(ly), thin(ly).

In other cases there is a difference in the meaning of the adverb with and without -ly:
• She gave her time free. (= for no money) and She gave her time freely. (= willingly)
• I arrived late for the concert. and I haven't seen John lately. (= recently)
Here are some other pairs of adverbs that can have different meanings. Compare:

• Do I have to change trains in Leeds?' 'No, • I'll be with you directly (= very soon).
you can go direct (= without stopping).' • He saw Susan directly (= straight) ahead.
• She worked really hard and passed her • The telephone line was so bad, I could
exams. hardly (= only just) hear what he was saying.
• He kicked the ball high over the goal. • Everyone thinks highly of her teaching.
(= they praise her for it)

• They cut short their holiday when John • The speaker will be arriving shortly
became ill. (= went home early) (= soon). Please take your seats.
• The door was wide (= completely) open • It won't be difficult to get the book. It's
so I just went straight in. widely available. (= in many places)

I Remember that good is an adjective and well is an adverb:
I asked Francis to clean the car, and he did a good job. / ...and he did the job well.
•
However, well is also an adjective meaning 'healthy':
• You're not looking too well. Are you okay?