Adverbs: forms

Adverbs ending in -ly

Adverbs have a strong connection with adjectives. Adjectives and adverbs are usually
based on the same word. Adverbs often have the form of an adjective + -ly.

Compare

adjective adverb

He was calm when I told him. He behaved calmly.

That was a beautiful presentation, Your work is beautifully presented,

Carla. Carla.

Adverbs ending in -ly are usually adverbs of manner (slowly) and degree (completely,
fairly).

Adverbs formed from adjectives ending in -l have double l:

beautiful beautifully, careful carefully, hopeful hopefully, historical

historically

Magda looked hopefully at her mother.

Historically, there was never any conflict between the two communities.

Adverbs formed from adjectives ending in -y change the y to i:

easy easily, busy busily, lucky luckily, angry angrily

Luckily, I had a backup copy of the data on a disk.

Ive never seen him react so angrily.

Adverbs ending in a consonant +e keep the e:

definite definitely, fortunate fortunately, extreme extremely, absolute
absolutely

I am extremely grateful to you.

We were absolutely exhausted at the end of it all.

Adverbs ending in -ward(s) or -wise

There is a small group of adverbs which end in -ward(s) or -wise. The -ward(s) words
can end in either -ward or -wards (inward, inwards).

1. -wards: inwards, eastwards, upwards, downwards

2. -wise: clockwise, lengthwise, likewise

The doctor asked her to move her head upwards but she couldnt.

Turn the handle clockwise to start it.

Hes the one that they all love. Whatever he does, they do likewise. (They do the
same thing.)

Adverbs with the same form as adjectives

Some adverbs have the same form as adjectives. The most common
are: fast (not fastly), left, hard, outside, right, straight, late, well, and time words such
as daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.

Compare

adjective adverb

This coconut is really hard. Youll need a You have to bang the door hard to
hammer to break it up. shut it.
 adjective adverb

They can swim quite fast now

She drives a fast car.
actually.

An outside light would be a really good When I went outside, the light came
idea for our house. on automatically.

I get a monthly pay cheque. My company pays me monthly.

Warning:
Dont confuse adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives modify nouns or are used after
verbs such as be, become, seem, look, smell, taste.

She walks very elegantly. (adverb of manner, describing how she walks)

He wore an elegant suit and a silk tie. (adjective describing the suit)

She looks very elegant in that long skirt. (adjective after look)

Adjectives ending in -ly

Some adjectives end in -ly, e.g. lively, lonely, ugly. We dont form adverbs from these
adjectives because they are not easy to pronounce. We usually reword what we want
to say instead.

Dont act in a silly way.

Not: Dont act sillily.

She said it in a friendly way.

Not: She said it friendlily.

Adverbs not related to adjectives

Some adverbs (e.g. just, quite, so, soon, too, very) are not directly related to
adjectives:

This is just what I am looking for. (just = exactly)

These cups are not quite the same. (not quite = not exactly)

Why is this road so narrow?

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Thats too expensive.

Thats a very strange story.

Gradable adverbs

Most adverbs, like most adjectives, are gradable (they can express different degrees
of qualities, properties, states, conditions and relations). We can modify adverbs using
other types of adverbs and comparative forms to make longer adverb phrases.

Compare

He plays the piano amazingly.

really is a degree adverb
He plays the piano really amazingly.

She played golf skilfully this time. more is a degree adverb

She played golf more skilfully this time. more skilfully is a comparative form

Adverbul de in limba engleza

Adverbul se poate defini astfel:

Este partea de vorbire care:

Arata o caracteristica a unei actiuni, a unei stari sau a unei calitati;
 Poate avea categoria gramaticala a comparatiei

Ca si in limba romana, si in limba engleza exista o clasificare a adverbelor:

- adverbe de timp (Adverbs of time);
- adverbe de mod (Adverbs of manner);
- adverbe de loc (Adverbs of place).

Adverbul de mod in limba engleza

Adverbul de mod indica modalitatea propriu-zisa.

Cele mai multe adverbe de mod se formeaza prin adaugarea sufixului ly la forma
adjectivului:

slow (adjectiv) -> slowly (adverb de mod)

She touched him sweetly on the hand. (L-a atins usor pe mana.)
He sang so beautifully! (A cantat atat de frumos.)
They acted foolishly. (S-au comportat proseste.)
After the lunch he left sadly. (Dupa pranz, a plecat suparat.)
You should listen carefully! (Ar trebui sa asculti cu grija!)

Adverbele de mod pot fi:

- de amplificare: completely (complet), hardly (cu greu), scarcely (cu dificultate), absolutely
(absolut), barely (cu greu) ;
- de probabilitate: probably (probabil), maybe (poate), perhaps (posibil)
- de intarire: actually (de fapt), certainly (in mod sigur), really (intr-adevar)
- de afirmatie sau negatie: yes (da), no (nu), of course (desigur), not at all (deloc), obviously
(evident)

Daca adjectivul de mod se termina in e, acesta se pastreaza inaintea sufixului ly:

entire (adjectiv) -> entirely (adverb de mod)
extreme (adjectiv) -> extremely (adverb de mod)

Exceptii: true (adjectiv) -> truly (adverb de mod)

due (adjectiv) -> duly (adverb de mod)
whole (adjectiv) -> wholly (adverb de mod)

Daca adjectivul se termina in l , adverbul va avea ll, prin adaugarea terminatiei -ly:
beautiful (adjectiv)+ ly -> beautifully (adverb de mod)

Adjectivele terminate in le silabic pierd e si adauga y:

simple (adjectiv) -> simply (adverb de mod)

Adjectivele terminate in y il transforma in i inaintea sufixului ly:

happy (adjectiv) -> happily (adverb de mod)

Adjectivele terminate in ll pierd un l:

full (adjectiv) -> fully (adverb de mod)
Adjectivele terminate in ic primesc ally pentru a devein adverbe (exceptie: public -> publicly):
automatic (adjectiv) -> automatically (adverb de mod)

Adjectivul "good" devine adverbul "well":

She is a good pupil. She speaks English well.

Adverbul de loc in limba engleza

Unele adverbe de loc indica locul propriu-zis (here, there), altele indica directia (aside, forward,
behind), insa majoritatea adverbelor de loc pot fi folosite pentru a indica atat locul cat si
directia.

I want to go somewhere. (Vreau sa merg undeva.)

I will leave you here. (Te voi lasa aici.)
Move aside! (Da-te la oparte!)
Cars like this one you can find anywhere. (Masini ca aceasta poti gasi oriunde.)
Go there and you will see. (Du-te acolo si vei vedea.)
Look forward, you will find the information. (Cauta mai departe, vei gasi informatia.)
Please wait her out! (Te rog asteapt-o afara!)
She lived a long period abroad. (A trait o perioada lunga in strainatate.)
The toy was hidden underground. (Jucaria era ascunsa sub pamant.)
Can you go downstairs and throw me from there the book?(Poti sa mergi jos si sa imi arunci
de acolo cartea?)Please come home for that special party. (Te rog vino acasa pentru acea
petrecere speciala.)
You won't find this dress nowhere. (Nu vei gasi aceasta rochie nicaieri.)
Sheila went far in the woods to find the little lamb. (Sheila s-a dus departe in padure
gaseasca mieluselul.)

Exista adverbe de loc care au aceeasi forma ca si adjectivul din care provin:

outside, next, right, left

Next

Ex. Im leaving with the next train. Plec cu trenul urmator. Adjective
What happens next ? - Ce se va intampla in continuare ? Adverb

Left

Ex. She is wearing a bracelet on her left hand. Ea poarta o bratara pe mana stanga.
Adjective
Turn left at the end of the street.- Fa la stanga la capatul strazii. - Adverb

Outside

Ex.. There's only an outside chance of winning this game Sansele de a castiga acest joc sunt
mici. Adjective
The weather outside is horrible Vremea de afara e oribila - Adverb
Right

Ex. He is not the right person for you. Nu e persoana potrivita pentru tine. Adjective
Im right behind you.- Sunt chiar in spate tau. Adverb

Adverbele de timp in limba engleza

Adverbele de timp indica:
- momentul actiunii: nowadays (in zilele nosatre), never (niciodata), now (acum)
- succesiunea in timp: before (inainte), soon (curand) afterwards (dupa aceea)

I never go to that stadium. (Nu merg niciodata la acel stadion.)

They are always asking for money. (Intotdeauna cer bani.)
I asked you before. (Te-am intrebat inainte.)
She met him again. (L-a intalnit din nou.)
I expect my parents soon. (Ii astept pe parintii mei curand.)
Adverbele de timp pot exprima si o idee temporala nedefinita:

often (deseori)
seldom (rareori)
usually (de obicei)

n 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.

4. Adverbul

Adverbele sunt cuvinte care ne spun mai multe despre cum , unde, cnd, ct de frecvent sau n ce
masura are loc o actiune.

4.1. Functia adverbelor

Astfel, adverbele determina n general verbe:

Ex.: The bus moved slowly. (cum?)
I am going home tomorrow. (cnd?)

Adverbele pot determina si adjective: You look absolutely fabulous!

Sau alte adverbe: She played the violin extremely well. You're speaking too quietly.
Sau chiar propozitii intregi: Perhaps we'll see you again next year.

4.2. Forma adverbelor

4.2.1. Adverbele se formeaza de cele mai multe ori prin adaugarea unui -ly la forma de singular a
adjectivului:
 Adverb
Adjectiv Exemple
(Adjectiv + ly)
careful carefully He carefully picked up a tie.
quick quickly Time goes quickly.
slow slowly He walked slowly to the door.

Modificari ortografice:

Daca adjectivul se termina in -y, acesta se va inlocui cu -i + -ly.

Ex.: easy - easily, angry - angrily, lucky - luckily
Cnd avem un -le terminal (-able, -ible, -le), dispare -e si este inlocuit cu -y.
Ex.: probable - probably, terrible - terribly, gentle - gently
Adjectivele terminate in -ic adauga -ally.
Ex.: basic - basically, economic - economically, tragic - tragically
Exceptie: public - publicly
Forme neregulate
Ex.: true - truly, due - duly, whole - wholly

4.2.2. Unele adverbe au aceeasi forma ca si adjectivele:

Ex.: early, fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, wrong

Compara:
This is a hard exercise. (adjectiv)
He works hard. (adverb)
We saw many high buildings. (adjectiv)
The bird flew high in the sky. (adverb)

4.2.3. Unor adjective le corespund doua forme adverbiale, care au sensuri diferite:

Forme
Adjectiv Exemple
adverbiale
1. deep He looked deep into her eyes. (adanc)
deep
2. deeply She is deeply in love. (profund, pna peste cap)
 1. direct You can dial New York direct. (n mod direct)
direct
2. directly He went there directly. (direct, fara ntrziere)
My mother came in first, then my brothers and
1. first sisters. (nti)
first
2. firstly Firstly, I would like to welcome you here. (n primul
rnd)

Alte exemple: hard, light, just, last, late, most, near, prett, right, round, short, wrong.

Well / Good
Well este adverbul care corespunde formei adjectivale good.

They are good swimmers.

They swim well.

She is a good pianist.

She plays the piano well.

4.3. Gradele de comparatie ale adverbelor

Adverbele formeaza comparativul si superlativul la fel ca si adjectivele (vezi: 3.5. Gradele de

comparatie ale adjectivelor):

Adauga -er pentru comparativ si -est pentru superlativ la adverbele dintr-o singura silaba: hard
- harder - hardest
Adauga more pentru comparativ si most pentru superlativ la adverbele formate din doua sau
mai multe silabe si la cele terminate in -ly: seriously - more seriously - most seriously
Unele adverbe au forme neregulate la comparativ si superlativ: badly - worse - worst, little -
less - least, well - better - best, much - more - most

De retinut! Uneori most poate avea sensul de very:

We were most grateful for your help.
I am most impressed by this application.
4.4. Clasificarea adverbelor

1. Adverbe de mod
2. Adverbe de loc si directie
3. Adverbe de timp, durata si frecventa
4. Adverbe de probabilitate
5. Adverbe de grad

4.4.1. Adverbe de mod

Adverbele de mod ne arata cum, in ce mod are loc o actiune. Ele se aseaza in propozitie dupa verb sau
dupa complementul acestuia.
Exemple:
He swims well. (dupa verb)
He ran... rapidly, slowly, quickly.
She spoke... softly, loudly, aggressively.
James coughed loudly to attract her attention.
He plays the flute beautifully. (dupa complement)
He ate the chocolate cake greedily.

1. Adverbul de mod nu se aseaza ntre verb si complement:

Incorect: He ate greedily the chocolate cake.
Corect: He ate the chocolate cake greedily.

2. Pozitia adverbului n propozitie este foarte importanta mai ales atunci cnd
exista mai multe verbe n propozitie. Daca adverbul este asezat dupa o propozitie,
atunci acesta modifica ntregul sens exprimat n propozitie.
Observa diferentele de sens n functie de locul adverbului n propozitie:
He quietly asked me to leave the house. (= cererea lui a fost facuta n liniste)
He asked me to leave the house quietly. (= plecarea a fost facuta n liniste)

4.4.2. Adverbe de loc si directie

Ne arata unde are loc actiunea verbului. Se aseaza in general dupa verbul principal sau complementul
sau.
Exemple:
Dupa verb:
I looked everywhere.
John looked ...away, up, down, around...
I'm going ...home, out, back...
Dupa complement:
They built a house nearby.
She took the child outside.

A. Here / there. Cu verbe de miscare, here exprima ideea de nspre/ cu / mpreuna cu vorbitorul, iar
there contrariul, departe, fara participarea vorbitorului:
Ex.: Come here (= spre mine)
It's in here (= vino impreuna cu mine sa vezi)
Put it there (= departe de mine)
It's in there (= du-te singur sa vezi)

Expresii cu here/ there: down here, down there, over here, over there, under here, under there, up
here, up there.

B. Adverbele de loc terminate n -wards - exprima ideea de miscare ntr-o anumita directie:
Ex.: backwards, forwards, downwards, upwards, inwards, outwards, northwards, southwards,
eastwards, westwards, homewards, onwards.
Cats don't usually walk backwards.
The ship sailed westwards.

De retinut! Towards este prepozitie, nu adverb, astfel nct va fi ntotdeauna urmat de un substantiv
sau pronume:
Ex.: He walked towards the car. She ran towards me.

C. Adverbe care exprima att locul ct si directia: ahead, abroad, overseas, uphill, downhill, sideways,
indoors, outdoors.
4.4.3. Adverbe de timp, durata si frecventa

Arata cand a avut loc o actiune dar si durata sau frecventa actiunii.
Ex.:
Cnd: today, yesterday, later, now, last year
Durata, pentru ct timp: all day, not long, for a while, since last year
Ct de frecvent: sometimes, frequently, never, often, yearly

De obicei, adverbele de timp se aseaza la sfrsitul propozitiei sau emfatic, la nceputul ei:
Ex.: One of my children wrote to me yesterday.
Later the boy understood the story.

Adverbele care indica durata se aseaza la sfarsitul propozitiei:

Ex.: She stayed in the house all day.
My mother lived in France for a year.

De retinut! For este intotdeauna urmat de o expresie de durata: for three days, for a week, for several
years, for two centuries.
Since este intotdeauna urmat expresia unui moment punctual n timp: since Monday, since 1997, since
the last war.

Adverbele de frecventa exprima frecventa unei actiuni si se aseaza de obicei in fata verbului principal,
dar dupa verbele auxiliare (cum ar fi be, have, may, must):
I often eat vegetarian food. (in fata verbului principal)
You must always fasten your seat belt. (dupa verbul auxiliar must)
I have never forgotten my first kiss. (dupa verbul auxiliar have si in fata verbului principal forgotten)

Unele adverbe de frecventa exprima regularitatea incidentei unei actiuni si se plaseaza la sfarsitul
prepozitiei:
This magazine is published monthly.
He visits his mother once a week.

Adverbe de fecventa: frequently, generally, normally, occasionally, often, regularly, sometimes,

usually.
De retinut! Yet se foloseste in propozitii interogative sau negative:
Have you finished your work yet? No, not yet.
They haven't met him yet.
Still exprima ideea de continuitate. Se foloseste in propozitii pozitive sau interogative.
I am still hungry.
Do you still work for the BBC?

Ordinea adverbelor de timp

Daca este nevoie de mai multe adverbe de timp in aceeasi propozitie ordinea lor va fi:

Ordinea Exemple
1: adverbe de 1 + 2 : I work (1) for five hours (2) every day.
durata 2 + 3 : The magazine was published (2) weekly (3) last year.
2: adverbe de 1 + 3 : I was abroad (1) for two months (3) last year.
frecventa 1 + 2 + 3 : She worked in a hospital (1) for two days (2) every
3: adverbe de timp week (3) last year.

4.4.4. Adverbe de siguranta si probabilitate

Acestea exprima cat de sigur este vorbitorul de actiunea sau evenimentul pe care il relateaza:
certainly, definitely, probably, undoubtedly, surely, maybe, obviously, perhaps, possibly, really. Se
aseaza in propozitie intre verbul auxiliar si verbul principal.
Ex.: He has certainly forgotten the meeting.

Pentru o formulare emfatica sau o reliefare a afirmatiilor, se aseaza n debutul frazei:

Ex.: Undoubtedly, Winston Churchill was a great politician.

De retinut! Surely asezat la inceputul propozitiei inseamna ca vorbitorul este convins de adevarul unei
afirmatii, dar incearca sa obtina o confirmare: Surely you've got a bicycle?

4.4.5. Adverbe de grad

Aceastea exprima intensitatea sau gradul de indeplinire a actiunii unui verb, adjectiv sau adverb:
almost, nearly, quite, just, too, enough, hardly, scarcely, completely, very, extremely.
Locul lor in propozitie este fie in fata adjectivului sau adverbului pe care il determina, fie in fata
verbului principal:
Ex.: The water was extremely cold.
He was just leaving.
She has almost finished.

Enough, very, too

Enough inseamna "pana la punctul necesar pentru a..." si se plaseaza dupa adjectiv sau adverb:
Is your coffee hot enough? (adjectiv)
He didn't work hard enough. (adverb)
Too = "mai mult decat este necesar pentru..." si se aseaza in fata adjectivului sau adverbului:
This coffee is too hot. (adjective)
He works too hard. (adverb)
Very intareste sensul unui adjectiv sau adverb si se aseaza in fata acestora:
The girl was very beautiful. (adjectiv)
He worked very quickly. (adverb)

De retinut! Exista o diferenta importanta intre too si very:

Very exprima un fapt: He speaks very quickly.
Too sugereaza existenta unei probleme: He speaks too quickly (for me to understand).

Alte adverbe asemanatoare lui very: extremely, especially, particularly, pretty, rather, quite, fairly,
rather, not especially, not particularly.