Basic Types of Adverbs

Adverbs of Time

Usage: Describes when or for how long a certain action happened.

Example words: Already, ago, before, yet, never, soon, yesterday, soon, lately

Example sentences:

• I have heard this story before.
• I have not seen him since last summer.
• He hasn’t spoken to her yet.
• He’ll be here soon.
• Lisa hasn’t been feeling so well lately.
• We’ve never been to Rio de Janeiro.
• We left the house over an hour ago.

 

Adverbs of Frequency

Usage: Describes how often something occurs, either indefinite or indefinite terms.

Example words: Always, usually, normally, often, sometimes, occasionally, once, seldom, rarely, never

Example sentences:

• It’s always hot in this room.
• I usually just have a banana for breakfast.
• I normally go to the gym in the morning.
• We often go out for dinner.
• Sometimes it’s best not to say a single word.
• I occasionally eat pizza. 
• I seldom read autobiographies.
• He hardly ever drinks alcohol.
• I never go to the cinema on a Monday.

 

Adverbs of Place

Usage: Tells about where something happens or where something is.

Example words: Here, everywhere, near, nearby, down, away, backwards, upwards

Example sentences:

• There was an accident nearby.
• Is that your hat there?
• I’ve lived here for about two months.
• The sun’s going down and it’ll be dark soon.
• Ms Brown is away on vacation until the end of the week.
• I walked backwards towards the wall.
• He turned his face upwards to the sun.

 

Adverbs of Manner

Usage: Shows how or what way something happens or is done.

Example words: So, slowly, badly, beautifully, delightfully, loudly, anxiously

Example sentences:

• The soldiers fought bravely.
• Is that so?
• Could you please speak more slowly?
• She dresses beautifully.
• He has a delightfully dry sense of humour.
• We waited anxiously by the office.
• I thought he was treated very badly.

 

Adverbs of Degree

Usage: Shows how much, or in what degree or to what extent of qualities, properties, states, conditions and relations.

Example words: Almost, fully, rather, quite, too, enough, perfectly

Example sentences:

• He is fully prepared.
• She is rather busy.
• I'm almost 30.
• The two situations are quite different.
• It’s too hard to explain.
• Have you had enough (to eat)?
• They’re perfectly suited.

 

Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation

Usage: Answers that something is true or some equivalent negative statement.

Example words: Certainly, surely, apparently, obviously, no, undoubtedly 

Example sentences:

• Surely you are mistaken.
• She is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the team.
• The design certainly looks good on paper.
• Apparently, it’s going to snow today.
• She was in tears and obviously very upset.
• It is undoubtedly one of the best songs of the year.

 

Are you interested in teaching English as a foreign language? Get your TEFL or TESOL certification with ITTT.