Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs are a part of speech which describe, modify and give more information about verbs, adjectives or adverbs themselves. When an adverb is used to express way or style of doing any action, it is called an Adverb of Manner. Adverbs of manner answer the question how and are often formed by adding -ly or -ily to the adjectives.
Examples:

• The small child is looking innocently at his teacher.
• The sick woman is recovering well.
• She walked fast to reach home quickly from office.
• He spoke rudely with his friends and relatives.
• The baby is crying loudly in the crib.
• They spoke politely in front of others.
• Can you walk slowly?
• I am madly in love with my dear wife.
• The clever thief moved swiftly.
• Make your decision carefully.

Where should Adverbs of Manner be used?

There are instances when Adverbs of Manner should be used correctly. These are

1. After Main Verb in Sentence without Object

Frequently used Adverbs of manner are put after the main verb when there are no objects.

For Example:

• He behaves badly.
• She cries loudly.
• He jumps easily.
• They cry loudly.
• My mother shouts angrily.
• The soldier kills ruthlessly.
• I read interestingly.

We often use phrases with “like” as adverbs of manner

e.g.

• Her hair smells like roses.
• She slept like a baby.

2. Before Verb or End of Clause in Sentences with Direct Object

As mentioned above, Adverbs of manner are put after main verbs or after the object. But when a verb and a direct object are used in a sentence, they cannot be kept after the verb. They should always be kept before the verb or at the end of the clause.

For Example:

Incorrect Form	Correct Form #1	Correct Form #2
I went happily to the large fare.	I went to the large fare happily.	I happily went to the large fare.
She ate hungrily pizza.	She ate pizza hungrily.	She hungrily ate pizza.
He kicked angrily the ball.	He kicked the ball angrily.	He angrily kicked the ball.

Wrong Use of -ly or -ily

Some Adverbs of manner when changed to -ly or -ily form become wrong. These adverbs are similar to Adjectives and do not require -ly or -ily at the end.

For Example:

Incorrect Form	Correct Form
He walks fastly.	He walks fast.
You can do welly.	You can do well.

In case of link verbs, we use the adjective form instead of the adverb. The use of “like” phrases is also common.

For Example: