Adverbs of Manner – Examples

Adverbs are common words we almost regularly use in a sentence. They help us provide added information about the subject and the verb and make the sentence complete and comprehensive.

We know that adverbs are a part of the eight parts of speech in English grammar. They have several other units within themselves where each has its own purpose and meanings that modify a sentence in its own way. In this post, we are going to focus on one such type called the adverbs of manner.

To define them in a simple sense, they are the words that help us modify a sentence by explaining how a thing happens. However, they have specific rules that we need to follow while using them. Let us get to know them.

What are Adverbs of manner?

By definition, adverbs are a group of words that modify a verb in different ways to provide a complete sense to the sentence. When such an adverb modifies an action by describing how that particular action happens, it is said to be an adverb of manner.

In simple words, adverbs of manner are basically the type of adverb that helps us change or modify a verb by indicating how something happens. Or we can say they describe the way a particular thing takes place in a sentence.

If you are still confused, try to figure out the examples given below.

  • The man was eating slowly.
  • He was happily leaving the class.
  • She ran quickly.
  • They play the piano beautifully.

We can notice that the bolded words are trying to explain how an action took place. Whether the actor was doing it fast, slow, happily, or angrily, etc. Thus, when words provide such information about the action word, they are considered an adverb of manner.

Also, it is important to note that adverbs of manner are usually adjectives ending with the suffix “ly”. However, if an adjective is already ending with the letter “y” replace it with “i” and add “ly”.

For example

  • Happy – happily
  • Angry – angrily

Usage of adverbs of manner

Only the definition would not suffice. Let us try to understand what are the rules regarding their usage.

Adverbs of manner are words that are never placed in between a verb and the object. They are usually placed either before the main verb or at the end of a sentence.

  • He ate the ice cream happily. (Correct).
  • He ate happily the ice cream. (Wrong).

When there is a preposition before the object in a sentence, the adverb of manner either precedes the preposition or follows the object.

  • The girl walked angrily towards her mother.
  • The girl walked towards her mother angrily.

Sometimes, you can also change the adverb’s place by positioning it before the verb and the object or directly at the beginning of the sentence to lay stronger emphasis.

  • Sadly, he had to leave.

So, these are the points that will allow us to make correct use of adverbs of manner. They are not that hard of a concept, but it is important to realize their significance in a sentence.

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