Adverbs of degree

1. Adverbs of degree • They modify the intensity of an adjective or describe how much something is done. • extremely, incredibly, very • much, a lot • a little, a bit

2. Adverbsofmanner • They describe how somebody does something. • slowly, easily, healthily, quickly, seriously

3. Adverbsoffrequency Indefinite frequency: • never, hardly ever, sometimes*, often, usually*, always, occasionally*, normally* Definite frequency: • three times a week, twice a day

4. Commentorviewpointadverbs • They express the speaker’s opinion about something • unfortunately, ideally, clearly, luckily, obviously, apparently, surprisingly, to be honest, in theory, naturally, to my disappointment, strangely enough, to put it simply

5. Possiblepositions for adverbs • Front position: before everything else • Mid position: the position of not (or after not, in a negative sentence) • End position: After the verb phrase (verb + objects)

6. Adverbsofmanner • slowly, easily, healthily, quickly, seriously • I read the e-mail carefully. • I walked home very slowly. • I slowly opened the door. • This position [before the verb] is possible when you’re narrating a story, usually in written language.

7. Adverbsoffrequency Indefinite frequency: • never, hardly ever, sometimes*, often, usually*, always, occasionally*, normally* • I sometimes* go to nightclubs. Definite frequency: • three times a week, twice a day • I go to the doctor once a year.

8. Commentorviewpointadverbs • unfortunately, ideally, clearly, luckily, obviously, apparently, surprisingly, to be honest, in theory, naturally, to my disappointment, strangely enough, to put it simply • Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to study for the test. To be honest, I found the subject too boring, but, surprisingly, I did very well.

9. Adverbs of degree • extremely, incredibly, very • The test is incredibly easy. [before the term it modifies] • much, a lot • I like studying very much. [after the verb phrase] • a little, a bit • I’m a little worried about the test. I studied only a little. • [These adverbs can be in any of the two positions for degree adverbs, depending on what they do in the sentence.]

10. ADVERBS OF DEGREE • Really, almost and nearly are degree adverbs, and they always come before the term they modify: • I nearly crashed my car. [nearly modifies crashed] • The fuel tank is almost full. [almost modifies full] • I really love studying grammar! [really modifies love]

11. ADVERBS OF TIME • They usually go in end position; front position is possible when I want to contrast a new time reference with a previous one. • I went to the cinema yesterday. • Yesterday I stayed up late, but today I’m going to bed at 9.30.

12. ADVERBS OF TIME • They can’t usually be in mid position, except for the following adverbs, which are often in mid position: • now, already, finally, recently, soon, still, just • I have just had lunch. • We have now finished unit 2.

13. ADVERBS OF TIME • The following adverbs can ONLY be in end position: • daily, hourly, weekly, monthly • I go to work daily. • We write reports weekly.

14. FOCUS ADVERBS • The really important focus adverbs are: • even, just and only • They USUALLY go in mid position: • I have only studied lessons 1A and 1B. • I have even done the extra exercises.

15. ORDER OF ADVERBS • When you have lots of adverbs in end position, they follow this sequence: • manner >>> place >>> time • She danced beautifullyat the balletlast week.

16. ORDER OF ADVERBS • Another thing you have to take into consideration is the length of the elements at the end of the sentence. A long adverb (or a long object) tends to be placed after the other elements, even if that breaks the usual word order [object>>>manner>>>place>>>time] • He was arrested last week at the customs desk of Bangkok international airport. • She left at 3 a.m. with a great deal of noise. • This is extra information, so you don’t have to worry about this on yout test.