English Grammar > Adverbs

In 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, and 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.