117 English words
Common English adverbs
The most useful English adverbs for saying how, when, where and how much, with meanings and example sentences.
Words
A
- aboutadverbA1a little more or less than; approximatelyThe drive takes about two hours.
- aboveadverbA1earlier on the same page or in the same textSee the chart above for details.
- actuallyadverbA2used to say what is really true, often when it is surprisingThe test was actually easier than I expected.
- againadverbA1one more time; another timeCan you say that again, please?
- agoadverbA1before now; used to say how far back in the past something happenedI moved here three years ago.
- aheadadverbB1in front of someone or something, or forwardLook straight ahead and keep walking.
- alladverbA1completelyShe was all alone in the house.
- almostadverbA2very nearly but not completelyIt’s almost midnight.
- aloneadverbA2only; used to stress that one thing is enoughThe ticket alone cost $500.
- alongadverbA2with someone or somethingCan I bring my sister along?
- alreadyadverbA2before now, or earlier than expectedI’ve already finished my homework.
- alsoadverbA1in addition; as wellShe speaks French and also some Spanish.
- alwaysadverbA1at all times or every timeHe always drinks coffee in the morning.
- aroundadverbA1approximatelyI’ll be there around six o’clock.
- asadverbA2used in comparisons: as ... asMy brother is as tall as my father.
- asunderadverbC2(literary) into separate parts or pieces, often violentlyThe old ship was torn asunder by the storm.
- awayadverbA1to or at a distance from a place or personGo away and leave me alone!
B
- backadverbA1to the place or state you were in beforeI’ll be back in five minutes.
- beforeadverbA1at any time in the pastHave we met before?
- behindadverbA1slower or later than others or than plannedWe’re a week behind on this project.
- bestadverbA1in the most effective or pleasing wayWhich song do you like best?
- bitadverbA1a bit: slightly; a littleI’m a bit tired today.
C
E
- earlyadverbA1before the usual or expected timeThe bus arrived ten minutes early.
- eastadverbA1toward the eastDrive east for about five miles.
- eitheradverbA2used at the end of a negative sentence to mean “also”I don’t like coffee, and my sister doesn’t either.
- elseadverbA2in addition to or different from the person, thing or place already mentionedIs there anything else you need?
- enoughadverbA1to the degree that is neededAre you old enough to drive?
- especiallyadverbA2more than usual or more than others; in particularI love fruit, especially mangoes.
- evenadverbA2used to show that something is surprising or more than expectedEven my grandmother uses social media now.
- everadverbA2at any time, used mostly in questions and negative sentencesHave you ever been to Japan?
- exactlyadverbA2completely correct, with no difference at allThe train left at exactly 9:15.
F
- faradverbA1at or to a great distanceHow far is the airport from here?
- fastadverbA1quicklyDon’t drive so fast!
- finallyadverbA2after a long time or a lot of waitingAfter two hours, the bus finally arrived.
- firstadverbA1before anything or anyone elseFinish your work first, then you can play.
- forwardadverbA2toward the front or the direction you are facingTake one step forward, please.
H
- halfadverbA1partly; not completelyThe glass was half empty.
- hardadverbA1with a lot of effort or forceShe works hard every day.
- headlongadverbC2with the head firstHe tripped and fell headlong into the pool.
- hereadverbA1in, at or to this placeCome here and look at this.
- highadverbA1at or to a position far above the groundThe bird flew high above the trees.
- homeadverbA1to or at the place where you liveI usually get home at six.
- howadverbA1used to ask about the way something is done or happensHow do you make this cake?
- howeveradverbB1used to add a statement that contrasts with what was just saidThe plan is good. However, it will cost too much.
I
- inadverbA1into or inside a placeCome in and sit down.
- indeedadverbB2used to confirm or strongly agree with somethingIt was indeed a difficult decision.
- insideadverbA1in or into a building or roomIt’s cold, so let’s go inside.
- insteadadverbA2in place of someone or something elseWe didn’t take the bus; we walked instead.
L
- lateadverbA1after the usual or expected timeShe worked late every night this week.
- lateradverbA1at a time in the future or after the time you are talking aboutI’ll call you later.
- leastadverbA2less than anything or anyone elseIt happened when we least expected it.
- leftadverbA1toward the left sideTurn left at the traffic lights.
- lessadverbA2to a smaller degreeThis model is less expensive than that one.
- likelyadverbB1probablyShe will most likely be late.
- lotadverbA1much or often (in “a lot”)She travels a lot for work.
M
- maybeadverbA1used to show that something is possible but you are not sureMaybe we can meet next week instead.
- moreadverbA1used to form the comparative of longer adjectives and adverbsThis book is more interesting than the film.
- mostadverbA2used to form the superlative of longer adjectives and adverbsIt was the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen.
- muchadverbA1a lot or to a great degreeShe’s much taller than her brother.
N
- nearadverbA1close to someone or somethingCome a little nearer so you can see.
- nearlyadverbA2almost, but not completelyIt’s nearly ten o’clock, we should go.
- neveradverbA1not at any timeI’ve never been to Japan.
- nextadverbA1straight after somethingWhat should we do next?
- noadverbA1not at all, used before comparativesThe new phone is no better than the old one.
- northadverbA1toward the northDrive north for about ten miles.
- notadverbA1used to make a word, phrase or sentence negativeI’m not ready yet.
- notwithstandingadverbC2however; despite thisThe plan was risky; they went ahead notwithstanding.
- nowadverbA1at the present timeI’m busy now, can I call you later?
O
- offadverbA1away from a place or positionHe jumped off the wall.
- oftenadverbA1many times or in many situationsWe often eat out on Fridays.
- okadverbA1in an acceptable or fairly good wayThe interview went ok, I think.
- onadverbA1working or switched onIs the heater on?
- onceadverbA2one time onlyI’ve only been to Paris once.
- onlyadverbA1no more than, or nobody or nothing elseIt only takes ten minutes to walk there.
- outadverbA1away from the inside of a place or containerShe took a pen out of her bag.
- outsideadverbA1not in a building, or in the open airThe kids are playing outside.
P
- particularlyadverbB1more than usual or more than othersIt was particularly cold last night.
- perhapsadverbA2used to say something is possible but not certainPerhaps she missed the bus.
- PMadverbA1after midday; used after a time between 12 noon and midnightThe store closes at 9 PM.
- prettyadverbA1fairly or quite, but not extremelyThe test was pretty easy.
- probablyadverbA2very likely; used when you are almost sure something is true or will happenIt will probably rain this afternoon.
Q
R
S
- secondadverbA1used to introduce the next point in a listFirst, it’s too expensive; second, it’s too far.
- simplyadverbB1in a way that is easy to understandCan you explain it more simply?
- soadverbA1very or to such a great degreeI’m so happy to see you.
- sometimesadverbA1on some occasions but not alwaysI sometimes walk to work.
- soonadverbA1in a short time from now or from a certain timeDinner will be ready soon.
- stilladverbA2continuing until now and not finishedAre you still working on it?
- straightadverbA2directly or immediately, without stopping or changing directionAfter work I went straight home.
- suddenlyadverbA2quickly and without warningSuddenly, the lights went out.
- sureadverbA1yes; of course (informal)“Can you help me?” “Sure.”
T
- thenadverbA1at that time in the past or futureI lived in Boston back then.
- thereadverbA1in, at, or to that placePut the box over there.
- thoughadverbB1however; used at the end of a sentence in speechThe hotel was nice. It was expensive, though.
- thusadverbB2as a result; thereforeThe road was closed, thus we were late.
- todayadverbA1on this dayI have a test today.
- togetheradverbA1with each other; in the same place or groupWe went to the movies together.
- tonightadverbA1during the evening or night of todayAre you free tonight?
- tooadverbA1more than is needed or wantedThis soup is too hot to eat.
U
W
- welladverbA1in a good or skillful wayShe speaks English very well.
- westadverbA2toward the westWe drove west for three hours.
- whenadverbA1used to ask at what timeWhen does the movie start?
- whereadverbA1used to ask about a place or positionWhere do you live?
- whyadverbA1for what reasonWhy are you late?
- wideadverbA2fully; as far as possibleOpen your mouth wide.