Add "-ly" to an adjective = adverb

Simple rule: adding -ly to an adjective makes an adverb.

An adverb gives us more information about a verb in a sentence. Adverbs describe when something happens, where something happens, how something happens, and how often something happens. 

WHEN: tomorrow, now, today, later, early, again, soon. Can you think of another?  

WHERE: here, there, inside, high, away, home, everywhere. Can you think of another? 

HOW: easily, loudly, quickly, angrily, well, sadly, slowly, carefully. Can you think of another?  

HOW OFTEN / FREQUENCY: usually, sometimes, daily, frequently, seldom, monthly. Can you think of another?  

We usually make adverbs by adding “ly” to the end of an adjective.

slow —> slowly

clear —> clearly

If a word ends in -y and has more than one syllable, we add “-ily”:

happy --> happily

bouncy --> bouncily

sturdy --> sturdily

easy --> easily

noisy —> noisily

 

If a word ends in -y and has only one syllable, then just add “-ly”:  

shy --> shyly

coy --> coyly

Be careful! Here are some common exceptions: well, good, fast, hard, late, early, daily, straight, wrong (less formal), wrongly (more formal). 

Try to use adverbs to make your speaking and writing more detailed and fascinating.