Grammar Rules

Adverbs of Manner

What is an adverb of manner?

Adverbs of manner describe how something happens. For example, it is possible to walk or run at different speeds. The words used to describe walking or running at different speeds (quickly or slowly for example) are excellent examples of adverbs of manner. They help the reader gain greater insight into the way a written scene is playing out. Comparing the following sentences will help you to understand how these adverbs change the overall meaning of the sentences they’re found in.

Write better and fasterGinger helps you write confidently.
Start writing with Ginger

The boys ran. (There is no adverb of manner in this sentence, so we can only imagine how fast the boys are running.) The boys ran quickly. (The adverb of manner is quickly. It tells us that the boys are in a hurry.) The boys were tired, so they ran more slowly than before. (The adverb of manner is slowly. It tells us that the boys are running, but they aren’t covering as much ground as they were before.) There are a few rules to remember regarding adverbs of manner:
  • When using these adverbs, be careful not to place them between the object and the verb. They often fit best after the sentence’s object or main verb.
  • If there is a preposition before the object, the adverb of manner may be placed either before the preposition or after the sentence’s object.
  • Add emphasis by placing an adverb of manner before both the verb and object, and when these adverbs are placed at the beginning of a sentence, they catch the reader’s attention.
As you read the following examples of adverbs of manner, you will notice how the same adverb can lend different meanings to sentences containing nearly the exact same set of words.

Examples of Adverbs of Manner

The adverb of manner in each example has been italicized for easy identification.   He quickly agreed to go to the store for milk. (His agreement was quick) He agreed to go to the store for milk quickly. (He would go to the store quickly)   She quietly asked me to leave the room. (Her request was quiet) She asked me to leave the room quietly. (I am not going to make noise when I leave)   The doctor woke the gently sleeping patient. (The patient was sleeping gently) The doctor gently woke the sleeping patient. (The doctor was gentle while waking the patient)  

Adverbs of Manner Exercises

The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how adverbs of manner work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence. 1. The excited baby pounded the table _______________. a. Badly b. Hungrily c. Normally d. Variously Answer: B. The excited baby pounded the table hungrily. 2. Walk ______________ or you may miss the bus. a. Quickly b. Slowly c. Personally d. Happily Answer: A. Walk quickly or you may miss the bus. 3. Reading ______________ helps you to understand concepts better. a. Rapidly b. Briefly c. Carefully d. Always Answer: C. Reading carefully helps you to understand concepts better. 4. Playing music too _______________ can damage your hearing. a. Slowly b. Cheerfully c. Carelessly d. Loudly Answer: D. Playing music too loudly can damage your hearing. 5. A tortoise walks _______________. a. Mostly b. Slowly c. Happily d. Eagerly Answer: B. A tortoise walks slowly.

Adverbs of Manner List

The following list of adverbs of manner contains 125 single-word adverbs of manner; this is just a sample, as adverbs of manner actually form the largest of all groups of adverbs. accidentally angrily anxiously awkwardly badly beautifully boldly bravely brightly busily calmly carefully cautiously cheerfully clearly closely correctly courageously cruelly daringly deliberately doubtfully eagerly easily elegantly enormously enthusiastically equally eventually exactly faithfully fast fatally fiercely fondly foolishly fortunately frantically generously gently gladly gracefully greedily happily hard hastily honestly hungrily hurriedly inadequately ingeniously innocently inquisitively irritably joyously justly kindly lazily loosely loudly madly mortally mysteriously neatly nervously noisily obediently openly painfully patiently perfectly politely poorly powerfully promptly punctually quickly quietly rapidly rarely really recklessly regularly reluctantly repeatedly rightfully roughly rudely sadly safely selfishly sensibly seriously sharply shyly silently sleepily slowly smoothly so softly speedily stealthily sternly straight stupidly successfully suddenly suspiciously swiftly tenderly tensely thoughtfully tightly truthfully unexpectedly victoriously violently vivaciously warmly weakly wearily well wildly wisely