Adverbs of manner (slowly) – or adjectives (slow)?

Adverbs of Manner or Adjectives – What's the Difference?

In this lesson, you will learn how to differentiate between adverbs of manner and adjectives. Both are essential parts of English, but they serve different purposes. Let's dive in!

What Are Adverbs of Manner?

Adverbs of manner describe how an action is performed. They usually come after the verb or after the verb + object.

• He speaks clearly. (Describes how he speaks)
• She runs quickly. (Describes how she runs)
• He speaks clear. (Adjectives cannot describe verbs)

What Are Adjectives?

Adjectives describe a noun. They are usually placed before a noun or after the verb "be".

• This is a beautiful flower.
• The flower is beautiful.
• This is a beautifully flower. (Adverbs cannot describe nouns)

Adverbs of Manner vs Adjectives – Compare

To understand the difference, compare these examples:

• She drives carefully. (Adverb describing how she drives)
• She is a careful driver. (Adjective describing the noun "driver")
• She drives careful. (Incorrect: Adjectives cannot describe actions)

Common Mistakes

Watch out for these mistakes:

• The test was answered correct.
• The test was answered correctly.

Adjectives That Look Like Adverbs

Some words end in -ly, but they are adjectives, not adverbs. Examples include:

• She is a friendly person.
• She behaves friendly. (Use "in a friendly manner" instead)

Practice Makes Perfect!

Try forming sentences with the following words:

• Adjective: happy, fast, bright
• Adverb: happily, fast, brightly