46.2 Adverbs of manner

Some adverbs of manner can be used as adverbs or adjectives.

Adverbs of manner

Adjectives

I work hard.

I’m a hard worker.

Mary can swim fast.

Mary is a fast swimmer.

I’m so sleepy I can’t see straight.

I can’t draw a straight line.

We know very little about him.

He lives in a little apartment.

He spoke really loud.

He has a loudvoice.

We enjoyed ourselves very much.

There isn’t much time left.

But here are some exceptions!

Adverbs

Adjectives

I slept well.

I had a good sleep.

I hope you are well. (healthy)

You have done well.

You did a good job.

These adverbs have two forms: one which ends with -ly and one does not. However, their meanings are very different.

Adverbs

Meaning

Adverbs

Meaning

hard

with effort

hardly

scarcely

high

opposite of low

highly

very, very well

late

opposite of early

lately

recently

near

opposite of far

nearly

almost

wide

opposite of narrow

widely

commonly

Read these examples:

She open the door wide.

Curry is widely popular.

The students work very hard.

They hardly slept last night.

The train arrived late.

We haven’t seen Tom lately.

He stood high up on a ladder.

He is a highly successful painter.