- Most adjectives add –ly f.i. cheap-cheaply/ beautiful- beautifully
- If the adjective ends in -y, replace the y with i and add –ly f.i. happy- happily
- If the adjective ends in -ic, add -ally. F.i. heroic- heroically
- Some –ly adverbs (related to manner/ frequency) have the same form as adjectives: early, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.
- Some adjectives have the same form as adverbs: fast.
- Special form: good-well
- Other adjectives in –ly do not have an adverbial form and we put the adjective in an adverbial phrase: cowardly, disorderly, friendly, jolly, leisurely, lively, timely. F.i. in a friendly way/ fashion/ manner.
Some adverbs have two forms, one with –ly and one without, the meanings
are sometimes close and sometimes unrelated.
Wrong versus wrongly
Wrong suggests that something bad has happened. It all went wrong.
Wrongly means by mistake. I wrongly accused you.
Late versus lately
Late means beyond the expected time. John arrived late
Lately means recently. He’s been studying a lot lately.
Hard versus hardly
Hard means with a lot of effort. She works hard.
Hardly means almost not at all. You have hardly touched your dinner.
High versus highly
High means vertical distance. The balloon flew high over the house.
Highly means very. Crocodiles are highly dangerous.
Near versus nearly
Near means within a short distance. Don't walk near the edge of the cliff.
Nearly means almost. You nearly fell.
Just versus justly
Just means a
short time before. I’ve just told you.
Justly means
fairly. Were they treated justly?
