Forming adverbs from adjectives

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In most cases, an adverb is formed by adding -ly to an adjective


Adjective Adverb
cheap cheaply
quick quickly
slow slowly

If the adjective ends in -y, replace the y with i and add -ly

Adjective Adverb
easy easily
angry angrily
happy happily
lucky luckily

If the adjective ends in -able, -ible, or -le, replace the -e with -y.

Adjective Adverb
probable probably
terrible terribly
gentle gently

If the adjective ends in -ic, add -ally. Exception: public -> publicly

Adjective Adverb
basic basically
tragic tragically
economic economically

Some adverbs have the same form as the adjective: early, fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, & wrong

Examples
  • It is a fast car.
  • He drives very fast.
  • This is a hard exercise.
  • He works hard.
  • We saw many high buildings.
  • The bird flew high in the sky.

Well is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective good.

Examples
  • He is a good student.
  • He studies well.
  • She is a good pianist.
  • She plays the piano well.
  • They are good swimmers.
  • They swim well.
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