All Essential Adverbs for IELTS

Useful Adverbs for IELTS

An adverb is a modifying part of speech. It describes verbs, other adverbs, adjectives, and phrases. They are used to describe how, where, when, how often and why something happens. Adverbs are useful because they give us more information about an action, event or situation. Using adverbs correctly will improve your communication skills.

• People should act responsibly at all times. (Here, “responsibly” gives you more information about the verb “act”). 
• The line graph is significantly different from the bar chart. (Here, the adverb is modifying the adjective “different”).

Using adverbs at the beginning of a sentence can express a lot of meaning in one word and it is good cohesion because it helps the listener (or reader) to follow what you are going to say next. Most, but not all adverbs are composed of ‘adjective + ly’. These notes do not cover adverbs of position and direction (e.g., beside, opposite, around etc.)

Note that when we use an adverb to describe a verb, we usually put it AFTER the verb, while we use an adverb BEFORE the adjective.

Type of Adverbs

Adverbs of manner:

Describe how something happens. Where there are two or more verbs in a sentence, adverb placement affects the meaning. Some commonly used adverbs of manner include:

1. Carefully
2. Correctly 
3. Erroneously / Mistakenly / Incorrectly 
4. Keenly / Eagerly / Enthusiastically 
5. Easily
6. Loudly 
7. Patiently,
8. Quickly / Rapidly / Swiftly 
9. Quietly 
10. Abruptly 
11. Professionally 
12. Simply 
13. Closely /Accurately / Exactly / Precisely 
14. Softly / Delicately / Mildly 
15. Dramatically 
16. Steadily
17. Distinctly 
18. Steeply 
19. Easily 
20. Strangely
21. Explicitly 
22. Superbly 
23. Formally 
24. Thickly 
25. Thoroughly / Throughly / Comprehensively / Extensively 
26. Urgently
27. Vividly 
28. Politely 
29. Voluntarily

Adverbs of place

Describe where something happens. Most adverbs of place are also used as prepositions. Some commonly used examples include the following: 

1. Abroad
2. Anywhere
3. Downstairs
4. Here
5. In
6. Nowhere
7. Out
8. Outside
9. Somewhere
10. There
11. Upstairs

Adverbs of purpose

Describe why something happens. Here are some common examples:

1. So
2. So that
3. To
4. In order to
5. Because
6. Since
7. Accidentally
8. Intentionally
9. Purposely

Adverbs of Frequency 

Describe how often something happens. The following adverbs are commonly used in this way:

1. Always / All the time /Year in year out
2. Sometimes / at times / Occasionally / from time to time / Once in a while / Once in a blue moon / Now and then 
3. Continually / Continuously / Ceaselessly / Constantly
4. Often / Frequently / Half the time 
5. Periodically 
6. Never / Not at all / Not in any way / Not ever / Not at any time / Whatsoever
7. Erratically / Irregularly / Fitfully 
8. Seldom / Hardly ever / Rarely / Infrequently 
9. Repeatedly 
10. Sporadically 
11. Usually / Most of the time 
12. Normally

Adverbs of Time

Describe when something happens. These examples are commonly used:

1. After
2. Already
3. During
4. Finally
5. Just
6. Last
7. Later
8. Next
9. Now
10. Recently
11. Soon
12. Then
13. Tomorrow
14. When
15. While
16. Yesterday

Adverbs of Degree

1. Absolutely /Entirely / Completely / Totally 
2. Purely 
3. Radically 
4. Approximately 
5. Quite 
6. Really
7. Drastically / Severely 
8. Reasonably 
9. Entirely
10. Roughly 
11. Extensively
12. Barely / Scarcely / hardly 
13. Enormously / Immensely / Extremely / Hugely / Highly / Widely / Greatly 
14. Seemingly 
15. Fairly 
16. Simply 
17. Fully 
18. Sincerely / Truthfully / Truly / Indeed 
19. Gradually 
20. Slightly 
21. Seldom / Hardly ever / Rarely / Infrequently 
22. Somewhat 
23. Largely
24. Intensely / Powerfully / Strongly 
25. Nearly 
26. Thoroughly 
27. Noticeably 
28. Totally
29. Outright 
30. Tremendously 
31. Relatively / Partly 
32. Truly 
33. Poorly
34. Utterly 
35. Positively 
36. Very 
37. Virtually 
38. Pretty 
39. Well Profoundly / deeply

Adverbs that Focus on the Most Relevant Thing or Restrict

1. Alone
2. Particularly / especially 
3. Predominantly/ chiefly / mainly/ primarily 
4. Exclusively
5. Merely / only / just 
6. Purely 
7. Solely

Adverbs for Indicating the Area Where a Situation Exists

1. Globally 
2. Locally
3. Internationally 
4. Nationally

Adverbs Used at the Beginning of Sentences for Dramatic Effect

1. Arrogantly 
2. Proudly 
3. Carelessly 
4. Reluctantly 
5. Casually
6. Sensibly 
7. Childishly 
8. Suddenly / Unexpectedly 
9. Courageously 
10. Unwillingly 
11. Cunningly 
12. Wisely /Smartly / Intelligently / 
13. Desperately / Hopelessly

Adverbs for Expressing Personal Opinion or Judgment

1. Undeniably / Admittedly 
2. Miraculously 
3. Allegedly
4. Mysteriously 
5. Apparently / Evidently / Seemingly / Ostensibly 
6. Instinctively / naturally / intuitively 
7. Appropriately / Properly/ Suitably 
8. Obviously / Plainly / Manifestly / Clearly / Explicitly 
9. Paradoxically 
10. Conveniently 
11. Personally 
12. Foolishly 
13. Ideally 
14. Presumably 
15. Importantly / Momentously 
16. Remarkably / Notably / Markedly 
17. Incredibly 
18. Superficially 
19. Inevitably 
20. Undeniably 
21. Inexplicably 
22. Undoubtedly 
23. Interestingly 
24. Unjustly 
25. Ironically 
26. Unnaturally

Adverbs for Express Feeling: 

1. ]Frankly / Straightforwardly 
2. Amazingly
3. Sadly 
4. Astonishingly 
5. Seriously 
6. Curiously 
7. Strangely 
8. Disappointingly 
9. Surprisingly / Unexpectedly 
10. Fortunately 
11. Thankfully 
12. Tragically 
13. Happily 
14. Unbelievably 
15. Hopefully 
16. Unfortunately 
17. Luckily 
18. Unluckily 
19. Regrettably

Adverbs for Expressing a Logical Idea 

1. Accordingly 
2. Hypothetically 
3. Actually 
4. Immediately / Right away / At once / Right now / Instantly 
5. Additionally 
6. Randomly / Accidentally / Incidentally 
7. Alternatively 
8. Eventually / Finally / At length / At last / Lastly / In the end / In conclusion 
9. Basically / Essentially / Fundamentally 
10. Logically 
11. Definitely / Certainly / Surely 
12. Officially 
13. Characteristically 
14. Possibly / perhaps / maybe 
15. Coincidentally 
16. Potentially 
17. Conceivably 
18. Predictably 
19. Consequently 
20. Previously 
21. Consistently 
22. Probably / Likely 
23. Conversely 
24. Realistically 
25. Correctly 
26. Roughly / Approximately / Nearly / Almost / About 
27. Doubtlessly / Definitely 
28. Secondly 
29. Equally 
30. Significantly / Considerably / Noticeably 
31. Similarly 
32. Ultimately / Eventually / Finally 
33. Especially / Particularly / Specifically 
34. Then / Thereafter / Afterwards / After that / succeeding that / Next / Subsequently / Following this 
35. Supposedly 
36. Firstly 
37. Technically 
38. Theoretically 
39. Commonly / Prevalently / Generally Typically