subject + verb + adverbWhen there is no object, the adverb of manner often comes after the verb: The baby slept quietly.
Adverbs of Manner
A2Adverbs of manner show how an action happens: quickly, carefully, quietly. They often end in -ly and usually come after the verb or after the object.
What you'll learn
- Use adverbs like quickly and carefully to describe how actions happen.
- Build common -ly adverbs from adjectives.
- Place the adverb after the verb or after the object.
- Use well after action verbs instead of good.
Structure
subject + verb + object + adverbWith an object, put the adverb after the object: Maria closed the door quietly.
subject + verb + wellUse well after action verbs to describe performance: Lisa sings well.
Build a sentence
Pattern
Subject
Word
Annarunsquickly
Anna runs quickly.
To say how Anna runs, use the adverb quickly.
When to use
How an action happens
Use these adverbs to describe the style of an action: Tom answered politely. Anna drove slowly. The child held the glass carefully.
Instructions and advice
They are common in directions and warnings: Drive carefully. Speak quietly. Please write clearly.
Markers
quicklycarefullyslowlyquietlypolitelywell
Spelling
most adjectives
→ + lyquick → quicklyends in consonant + y
→ y → ilyhappy → happilyends in -le
→ drop e, + ysimple → simplyCommon mistakes
Wrong
Tom drives careful.
Correct
Tom drives carefully.
To describe how Tom drives, use an adverb, not the adjective careful.
Wrong
He was happyly smiling.
Correct
He was happily smiling.
Happy ends in consonant + y, so y changes to i before -ly: happily.
Wrong
Maria closed quietly the door.
Correct
Maria closed the door quietly.
With a verb and an object, put the adverb after the object.
Wrong
Lisa sings good.
Correct
Lisa sings well.
After an action verb, use well to describe the action. Good describes a noun.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every word for how an action happens ends in -ly. ❞
Many do, but not all. Well is a common adverb of manner and it does not end in -ly.
❝ Good and well mean the same thing in all positions. ❞
After action verbs, English uses well for the action: She writes well. Good describes a person or thing: She is a good writer.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_LY_FOR_HOWw5Use an -ly word to say how an action happens
Use words like quickly, carefully, and quietly to describe the way someone does something. These words answer the question how.
MAKE_LY_ADVERBSw5Build common -ly forms from adjectives
Many adverbs of manner come from adjectives plus -ly: quick → quickly, careful → carefully. Watch the spelling when the adjective ends in -y or -le.
PUT_ADVERB_AFTER_VERB_OR_OBJECTw5Place the adverb after the verb or after the object
Adverbs of manner often come after the main verb when there is no object, or after the object when there is one. Compare: The baby slept quietly. Maria closed the door quietly.
USE_WELL_NOT_GOODw4Use well after action verbs, not good
After action verbs like speak, drive, or play, use well to describe performance. Good describes a person or thing, not the action itself.
PICK_MANNER_MEANINGw3Choose a manner adverb when the sentence asks for how
Use a manner adverb when the sentence focuses on the way an action is done, not on time, place, or frequency. Clues include verbs of speaking, moving, working, and handling things.