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 suffix "-ly", and create an adverb to describe the action.
Key Vocabulary
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Suffix
A letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its function.
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Adverb
A word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
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Manner
The way in which something is done.
The "Adjective + ly" Rule
The most common way to create an adverb of manner (an adverb that describes how an action is done) is to add -ly to an adjective.
Examples
- Adjective: quick ➞ Adverb: quickly
He is a quick runner. ➞ He runs quickly. - Adjective: slow ➞ Adverb: slowly
It is a slow moto. ➞ The moto moves slowly. - Adjective: careful ➞ Adverb: carefully
She is a careful driver. ➞ She drives carefully. - Adjective: loud ➞ Adverb: loudly
The music is loud. ➞ The music is playing loudly. - Adjective: quiet ➞ Adverb: 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 "well".
"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!
Check Your Understanding
- What is the adverb form of the adjective 'careful'?
- a) care
- b) carefully
- c) care-ly
Answer: b) carefully
- He is a good cook. He cooks very ______.
- a) good
- b) well
- c) goodly
Answer: b) well
- The baby is sleeping. Please close the door ______.
- a) loudly
- b) quietly
- c) quickly
Answer: b) quietly
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.")