Adverbs of manner

adverbs of manner 6.36 You often want to say something about the manner or circumstances of an event or situation. The most common way of doing this is by using adverbs of manner. Adverbs of manner give more information about the way in which an event or action takes place.

He nodded and smiled warmly.

The young man struck his father and accidentally killed him.

manner 6.37 Many adverbs of manner are used to describe the way in which something is done. For example, in the sentence 'He did it carefully', 'carefully' means 'in a careful way'.

They think, dress and live differently.

He acted very clumsily.

You must be able to speak fluently and correctly.

6.38 Here is a list of common '-ly' adverbs which describe the way in which something is done:

abruptly accurately awkwardly badly beautifully brightly brilliantly briskly carefully carelessly casually cheaply clearly closely clumsily comfortably consistently conveniently correctly dangerously delicately differently discreetly distinctly dramatically easily

economically effectively efficiently evenly explicitly faintly faithfully fiercely finely firmly fluently formally frankly freely gently gracefully hastily heavily honestly hurriedly intently meticulously neatly nicely oddly patiently

peacefully peculiarly perfectly plainly pleasantly politely poorly professionally properly quietly rapidly readily richly rigidly roughly ruthlessly securely sensibly sharply silently simply smoothly softly solidly specifically splendidly

steadily steeply stiffly strangely subtly superbly swiftly systematically tenderly thickly thinly thoroughly thoughtfully tightly truthfully uncomfortably urgently vaguely vigorously violently vividly voluntarily warmly widely willingly wonderfully

feelings and manner 6.39 Adverbs formed from adjectives which describe people's feelings, for example 'happily' or 'nervously', indicate both the way in which something is done and the feelings of the person who does it.

For example, the sentence 'She laughed happily' means both that she laughed in a happy way and that she was feeling happy.

We laughed and chatted happily together.

Gaskell got up wearily and headed for the stairs.

They looked anxiously at each other.

Rudfolph coughed miserably in the rain as he turned into Vanferhoff Street.

6.40 Here is a list of adverbs which describe the feelings of the person who does something as well as the way in which it is done:

angrily anxiously bitterly boldly calmly cheerfully confidently desperately

eagerly excitedly furiously gladly gloomily gratefully happily helplessly

hopefully hopelessly impatiently miserably nervously passionately proudly reluctantly

sadly shyly sincerely uncomfortably uneasily unhappily wearily

6.41 Adverbs of manner can also indicate the circumstances in which something is done, rather than how it is done. For example, in the sentence 'He spoke to me privately' 'privately' means 'when no one else was present' rather than 'in a private way'.

After dinner she got hold of the President and spoke to him privately.

He had publicly called for an investigation of the entire school system.

Britain and France jointly suggested a plan in 1954.

Since then I have undertaken all the enquiries personally.

6.42 Here is a list of adverbs which are used to indicate the circumstances in which an action takes place:

accidentally alone artificially automatically bodily collectively commercially deliberately directly duly

first-class full-time illegally independently indirectly individually innocently instinctively involuntarily jointly

legally logically mechanically naturally officially openly overtly part-time personally politically

privately publicly regardless retail scientifically secretly solo specially symbolically wholesale

6.43 Most adverbs of manner are formed from qualitative adjectives, for example 'stupidly' from 'stupid', and 'angrily' from 'angry'. For more information about the forms of adverbs, see paragraph 6.17.

6.44 Instead of using an adverb of manner, you can sometimes use prepositional phrases or noun groups to give more information about the manner or circumstances of an action.

'Come here,' he said in a low voice.

I know I have to do it this way.

In some cases you may have to do this, because there is no adverb. See paragraph 6.23.