Lesson 4: Common Suffixes for Adverbs (-ly)
Describing Actions
You know how to use an adjective to describe a noun (a 'beautiful' painting). But how do you describe a verb (an action)? How does someone sing? How does someone walk? Very often, we take an adjective, add the suffix1 "-ly", and create an adverb2 to describe the action.
The "Adjective + ly" Rule
The most common way to create an adverb of manner3 (an adverb that describes *how* an action is done) is to add -ly to an adjective.
| Adjective (describes a noun) | + ly | Adverb (describes a verb) | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|---|
| quick | + ly | quickly | He is a quick runner. ➞ He runs quickly. |
| slow | + ly | slowly | It is a slow moto. ➞ The moto moves slowly. |
| careful | + ly | carefully4 | She is a careful driver. ➞ She drives carefully. |
| loud | + ly | loudly | The music is loud. ➞ The music is playing loudly. |
| quiet | + ly | quietly | He is a quiet person. ➞ He speaks quietly. |
Usage Note: Spelling Rules & An Important Irregular
- Spelling Rule (consonant + y): If the adjective ends in '-y', change the 'y' to 'i' and add '-ly'.
Example: happy ➞ happily; easy ➞ easily - Spelling Rule (-le): If the adjective ends in '-le', often you change the 'e' to 'y'.
Example: possible ➞ possibly; terrible ➞ terribly - Important Irregular: The adjective is "good", but the adverb is "well5".
"He is a good student." ➞ "He studies well." (NOT "He studies goodly.")
In Conversation
Srey asks Bora about his presentation at work.
Bora: How was your presentation, Srey?
Srey: It went well, thank you! I was nervous, but I spoke slowly and carefully.
Bora: That's great! My presentation did not go so well. I spoke too quickly.
Srey: Why? You are usually a good speaker.
Bora: I know. But the microphone was working badly, and some people in the back were talking loudly.
Srey: That's difficult. It's hard to present when people are not listening quietly.
Bora: Exactly. But I finished it happily because it was over!
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. What is the adverb form of the adjective 'careful'?
- a) care
- b) carefully
- c) care-ly
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) carefully
2. He is a good cook. He cooks very ______.
- a) good
- b) well
- c) goodly
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) well
3. The baby is sleeping. Please close the door ______.
- a) loudly
- b) quietly
- c) quickly
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) quietly
edit Your Mission
- My Adverbs: In your notebook, transform these adjectives into adverbs: 1. easy ➞ ? 2. happy ➞ ? 3. safe ➞ ?.
- Describe an Action: Write two sentences describing how you do something. (e.g., "I always eat my breakfast quickly." "I try to listen carefully in my English class.")
- Speak: Your mission is to describe an action to a friend. (e.g., "He rides his moto very fast." - Note: 'fast' is also irregular! or "She sings beautifully.")
book Lesson Glossary
- Suffix (noun) - Khmer: បច្ច័យ - A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its function. ↩
- Adverb (noun) - Khmer: គុណកិរិយា - A word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. ↩
- Manner (noun) - Khmer: លក្ខណៈ - The way in which something is done. ↩
- carefully (adverb) - Khmer: យ៉ាងប្រុងប្រយ័ត្ន - With great attention to avoid mistakes. ↩
- well (adverb) - Khmer: បានល្អ - The irregular adverb form of the adjective 'good'. ↩