Common Mistakes In The Use Of Adverbs
In this lesson we will learn about some common mistakes in the use of adverbs.
Incorrect: She worked hardly and passed the test.
Correct: She worked hard and passed the test.
Explanation
Hardly means almost not. It has a negative meaning.
Incorrect: Presently all of them disappeared soon.
Correct: Presently all of them disappeared.
Correct: All of them disappeared soon.
Explanation
Presently means in a minute.
Incorrect: He is very much sorry.
Correct: He is very sorry.
Incorrect: I am very much worried about his health.
Correct: I am very worried about his health.
Incorrect: The situation is very much serious.
Correct: The situation is very serious.
Explanation
Very is used without much before an adjective or adverb in the positive degree.
Incorrect: She is very older than her husband.
Correct: She is very much older than her husband.
Explanation
Before a comparative adjective, we use very much, not very.
Incorrect: This movie is quite more interesting than the other movie.
Correct: This movie is a lot more interesting than the other movie.
Explanation
We do not use quite before a comparative adjective.
Incorrect: He told everything in details.
Correct: He told everything in detail.
Explanation
In detail means in depth or thoroughly.
Incorrect: This book is too interesting.
Correct: This book is very interesting.
Explanation
The word too has a negative meaning. We do not normally use it to mean very.
Incorrect: He behaved cowardly.
Correct: He behaved like a coward.
Correct: He behaved in a cowardly manner.
Explanation
The word cowardly is an adjective. It cannot be used to modify a verb. There is no adverb 'cowardly/cowardlily'.
Incorrect: He comes late often to school.
Correct: He often comes late to school.
Explanation
Frequency adverbs usually go before the main verb.
Incorrect: I feel badly about it.
Correct: I feel bad about it.
Explanation
Feel is a copular verb. Copular verbs are modified by adjectives, not adverbs.
Incorrect: She walked slow.
Correct: She walked slowly.
Explanation
We use an adverb to modify a verb. Slow is an adjective. It cannot be used to modify the verb walked.
Incorrect: He is so rich.
Correct: He is very rich.
Explanation
To simply give information we use very. So is mainly used to talk about information that is already known.
Incorrect: She resembles closely to his mother.
Correct: She resembles her mother closely.
Explanation
Resemble is one of those verbs that are followed by direct objects without prepositions.
Incorrect: She speaks English good.
Correct: She speaks English well.
Explanation
Good is an adjective; well is an adverb. We use an adverb to modify a verb.
Incorrect: Never I have seen such a sight.
Correct: Never have I seen such a sight.
Correct: I have never seen such a sight.
Incorrect: Hardly I have had any rest since last week.
Correct: Hardly have I had any rest since last week.
Correct: I have hardly had any rest since last week.
Explanation
When a negative expression comes at the beginning of a sentence, it is usually followed by auxiliary verb + subject.
See also
Common writing mistakes
Six common mistakes found in ESL writing
Common errors with adjectives - part 1