Using Adverbs with Adjectives and Other Adverbs
Adverbs can modify adjectives and other adverbs to provide more precise information or add emphasis. Understanding how to use these combinations correctly will help you express yourself more accurately and add more detail to your descriptions.
Adverbs with Adjectives
Adverbs of Degree before Adjectives
Certain adverbs can be placed before adjectives to provide more detail about the extent or degree of the quality.
Common adverbs of degree:
- especially
- exceptionally
- mainly
- necessarily/not necessarily
- particularly
- reasonably
- extremely
- fairly
- highly
- quite
- very
Examples:
John is especially skilled at painting, while his brother is mainly good at drawing.
The exam was reasonably difficult, but I think I passed.
The weather was not necessarily cold, but it was very windy.
She is particularly talented at solving mathematical problems.
Their apartment is exceptionally clean and well-organized.
Adverbs Related to Specific Fields
Some adverbs are used before adjectives to specify what the adjective relates to.
Common field-specific adverbs:
- artistically
- athletically
- financially
- musically
- physically
- scientifically
- technically
- academically
- emotionally
- socially
Examples:
She is academically brilliant and socially confident.
Sandra is artistically talented in many ways, but she’s not musically gifted at all.
He is physically strong but emotionally sensitive.
The solution is technically correct but practically difficult to implement.
This approach is financially sound but ethically questionable.
Adverbs with Other Adverbs
Adverbs can also modify other adverbs to provide more detail about how an action is performed.
Common adverbs that modify other adverbs:
- especially
- exceptionally
- particularly
- reasonably
- extremely
- quite
- very
- rather
- surprisingly
Examples:
The team worked especially effectively under pressure.
Some people are able to learn languages particularly easily. For example, my friend Paolo learned five languages exceptionally fast.
She plays the piano surprisingly well for someone who just started.
He speaks English reasonably fluently after only six months of study.
The project was completed exceptionally quickly.
Recognizing the Difference in Function
Adverb + Adjective
- Modifies a noun
- Answers: “What kind?” or “How much?”
- The concert was reasonably good. (What kind of concert? A reasonably good one)
She is an extremely intelligent student. (What kind of student? An extremely intelligent one)
Adverb + Adverb
- He responded particularly quickly to our request. (How did he respond? Particularly quickly)
- Modifies a verb
- Answers: “How?” or “In what manner?”
Sandra paints exceptionally well for a beginner. (How does Sandra paint? Exceptionally well)
📝 Common Combinations in Everyday Language
Describing skills and abilities:
She sings extraordinarily beautifully.
He is technically competent but not particularly creative.
Talking about performance:
The team played surprisingly badly yesterday.
Our company performed especially well this quarter.
Giving opinions:
The film was reasonably entertaining but not exceptionally memorable.
Her presentation was particularly impressive.
Ready to Add Detail and Intensity to Your English Descriptions?
Learning to use adverbs effectively with adjectives and other adverbs (e.g., “very good,” “incredibly fast”) is a fantastic step to making your English descriptions richer, more vivid, and more precise. It’s how you truly convey nuance!
Do you want to practice placing and choosing the right adverbs to modify your adjectives and other adverbs? My online English classes offer fun, interactive ways to master adverbs and all other essential grammar points. You’ll get plenty of chances to speak and build your confidence.
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