Adverbs of Manner

1. What are Adverbs of Manner?

Adverbs of manner tell us how something happens.  Here are some examples of adverbs of manner:

  • angrily
  • badly
  • carefully
  • deliberately
  • eagerly
  • fast
  • greedily
  • happily
  • loudly
  • mildly
  • nervously
  • quickly
  • rudely
  • suddenly
  • thoughtfully
  • unexpectedly

2. Where do Adverbs of Manner go?

2.1 Adverbs of manner are usually placed either after the main verb or after the object.

subject verb adverb
She spoke quickly
He  listened carefully

 

subject verb object adverb
He ate the cake greedily
She spoke to him angrily

2.2 An adverb of manner cannot be put between a verb and its direct object. The adverb must be placed either before the verb or at the end of the clause.

Example   Meaning
He ate greedily the cake.   [incorrect]
He ate the cake greedily.   [correct]
He greedily ate the cake.   [correct]


2.3 The position of the adverb is important when there is more than one verb in a sentence. If the adverb is placed before or after the main verb, it modifies only that verb. If the adverb is placed after a clause, then it modifies the whole action described by the clause. See how the meaning changes in the following sentences.

Example   Meaning
She quickly agreed to marry me   the agreement is quick
She agreed quickly to marry me   the agreement is quick
She agreed to marry me quickly    the marriage is quick

Explanations

Exercises