Adverb of Manner

What's an Adverb?

An adverb is a specific part of speech. You probably noticed that the root of the word is 'verb.' This is because adverbs most commonly modify, or add to or tell more about, verbs. Adverbs, however, can also modify other parts of speech, including adjectives and other adverbs.

Many adverbs are easy to make or recognize because they follow a simple formula:

Here are some examples that follow that formula:

• Quick + ly = quickly
• Loud + ly = loudly
• Soft + ly = softly

Be careful when trying to use this formula for any adjective, however. Many common adjectives do NOT end in -ly:

• Well
• Hard
• Almost
• Quite

Mind Your Manners

Adverbs can modify verbs and other words in many different ways. One specific type of adverb is an adverb of manner. If you are thinking that these adverbs are about minding your manners by saying please or thank you, think again! Adverbs of manner tell how something happens. Here's an example:

The actress in the horror film screamed loudly.

In this example, the adverb is loudly. It tells how, or in what manner, the actress screamed.

Adverbs of manner usually come right after the main verb in the sentence or right after the direct object. The direct object receives the action of the verb. Check out the following example:

The ballerina performed the dance beautifully.

Here, the verb is 'performed.' The adverb, beautifully, tells how the dance, the direct object, was performed.

Putting Them in Their Place

Where should you place an adverb in your writing? It depends on the structure of your sentence. Here are some general guidelines.

Be careful not to put an adverb of manner between the verb and its direct object. It would be wrong to say, 'The dog ate quickly his food.' Written correctly, this sentence would read, 'The dog ate his food quickly.'

If there is not an object, you should usually put the adverb directly after the verb. For example:

• Her family waited patiently for news.
• They disappeared suddenly after the accident.

Sometimes, a writer will place an adverb of manner right before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence. This placement draws more attention to the adverb.

• Slowly he stepped onto the tightrope.
• He gently stroked the sleeping baby's head.

Examples

Remember, adverbs of manner tell how something happened. Here are more examples of common adverbs of manner. Notice that not all of the adverbs end in -ly.

• Robert tripped and fell hard on his knees.
• Jean tiptoed quietly up the stairs so she wouldn't wake her parents.
• Despite the thunderstorm, the baby slept well.
• He tapped her softly on the arm to get her attention.