UNIT 11 Adverbs: formation and position
degree
extremely, quite, very, really, so, slightly, almost, nearly, too* ➝ It’s too late, and I’m quite tired. (‘too’ means ‘excessively’) ➝ I’m 18 years old, too (‘too’ means ‘also’) right before the adjective or adverb they modify. * When too means ‘also’, it is placed at the end.
enough (after adjective or adverb, before noun) ➝ You aren’t tall enough to play basketball. ➝ Have we got enough flour to make pizza? after adjective or adverb but before nouns.
certainty
surely, of course, probably*, maybe, perhaps ➝ Perhaps there will be a strike on Monday. ➝ I’ll probably leave tomorrow. (or: Probably I’ll leave...) ➝ Surely you can speak English. mostly at the beginning (* = before main verb, too)
viewpoint and comment
obviously, unfortunately, luckily, personally, clearly ➝ Obviously, my brother was late. ➝ He was clearly embarrassed. ➝ Dogs are definitely my favourite pets. Viewpoint adverbs are usually at the beginning with a comma, or before the main verb (or after be).
manner
well, fast, hard, badly, quickly, heavily, sofly, loudly, fluently ➝ She can run fast. (after intransitive verb) ➝ Walter speaks English fluently. (after object) ➝ I did well in the test. (after verb, before preposition) These adverbs are mostly placed at the end of a clause, after the object or after intransive verbs.
happily, gently, quickly, angrily, quietly, selfishly, generously ➝ He closed the door gently. ➝ He gently closed the door. (more formal) These can either go at the end of the clause but also before the main verb.** **When the clause with the adverb is followed by another short clause the position of the adverb may slightly change the meaning of the sentence. Compare these sentences: ➝ I quietly asked him to leave. (quietly refers to asking, more formal) ➝ I asked him quietly to leave. (quietly refers to asking) ➝ I asked him to leave quietly. (quietly refers to leaving)
Note! Adverbial phrases with so / very / really / quite / rather + adverb are usually placed at the end of the clause. ➝ I don’t go to the theatre very often.
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Write the adverb or adverbial phrase from the adjectives and nouns below.
1 full _____________________ 2 particular _____________________ 3 practical _____________________ 4 early _____________________ 5 lonely _____________________ 6 dry _____________________
7 subtle 8 sudden 9 busy 10 hour 11 month 12 organic
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
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