CONTENT
There are five types of adverbs in the English language. Adverbs of manner describe the way in which an action is carried out or in what manner it takes place.
They answer the question “How?” and are usually added to a verb to modify its meaning.
Example
Explanation
The rain fell heavily.
Heavily is an adverb of manner added to the main verb fell to modify its meaning and give us more information on how the rain started.
Many adverbs formed by adding -ly to adjectives fit into this group. Some common adverbs of manner include nicely, slowly, quickly, precisely, unknowingly, loudly, etc.
Placement
Rule 1: We place adverbs of manner after the object in a sentence.
Example
Explanation
Andy rode his bike slowly to the lake.
Slowly is an adverb of manner used to describe how Andy rode and comes after his bike because it’s an objective.
Rule 2: We place adverbs of manner after the main verb if there is no object in the sentence.
Example
Explanation
Andy rode slowly to the lake.
Slowly is an adverb of manner used to describe the way in which Andy carried an action and comes after the main verb rode because there is no object in the sentence.
Rule 3: We can also place adverbs of manner before the main verb. This way, we can change the information that is emphasized in a sentence.
Example
Explanation
She was mindfully reading Stephen King’s new book because she wanted to find all the clues.
Mindfully is an adverb of manner used to describe the way she was reading, and it is the mindful reading that’s emphasized in the sentence.
She was reading Stephen King’s new book mindfully because she wanted to find all the clues.
Mindfully is an adverb of manner used to describe the way she was reading, but it is Stephen King’s new book that’s emphasized in the sentence.
Quiz
1/4
Choose the correct adverb of manner. Speak ___ in the library.
0
correct answers.