B1 PRELIMINARY · GRAMMAR · READING PART 6 & WRITING

Adjectives and adverbs

careful (adjective) or carefully (adverb)? And where to put words like always and often.

Finn says

Adverbs tell us how, when or how often something happens. Using them correctly makes your Speaking and Writing more precise.

Adjective or adverb?

Adjectives describe nouns; adverbs describe verbs.

Adjective

a / the + adjective + noun · be + adjective

She is a careful driver. The test was easy.

Adverb

verb + adverb (usually adjective + -ly)

She drives carefully.

Irregular

good → well · fast → fast · hard → hard

He plays the guitar well. She works hard.

How often something happens.

Position

before the main verb, after be

I usually walk to school. I'm never late.

Common adverbs

always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never

We often go to the cinema on Fridays.

In Reading Part 6 you write one word in each gap. The missing words are often small grammar words like these.

Please drive carefully – the road is icy.

Describing how someone drives (a verb): adverb.

She speaks English very well.

The adverb of 'good' is 'well'.

I'm always tired after football practice.

Frequency adverb after 'be' (or usually / often).

✗ He speaks very good English. / He speaks English very good.✓ He speaks English very well.After a verb, use 'well'.
✗ I go always to the gym on Mondays.✓ I always go to the gym on Mondays.The frequency adverb goes before the main verb.
✗ She works very hardly.✓ She works very hard.'Hardly' means 'almost not'.

Finn's exam tip

Ask yourself: am I describing a thing (adjective) or an action (adverb)? A quiet room, but speak quietly.

Write one word in each gap.

Practice → Check → Learn → Repeat ↻