Adverbs make sentences come alive.
They tell us how fast, how often, how soon, or even how sneakily things happen. Whether you’re trying to explain something, impress a grammar nerd, or sound smarter, adverbs are your ticket to clarity.
Keep reading to discover 350 adverb examples by type and with sentence explanations.
Major Types of Adverbs
Adverbs are versatile words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, answering questions like how, when, where, or to what extent.
Here’s a concise table summarizing the major types of adverbs and their functions:
Type of Adverb | Explanation | Example |
---|---|---|
Adverbs of Time | Indicate when something happens or how often it occurs. | He will call later. |
Adverbs of Place | Describe where an action occurs or the direction/location of an activity. | She stayed indoors. |
Adverbs of Manner | Explain how an action is performed, often ending in “-ly.” | He spoke softly. |
Adverbs of Degree | Show the intensity, extent, or degree of an action, adjective, or another adverb. | She is very tired. |
Conjunctive Adverbs | Connect clauses or sentences, showing relationships like cause, contrast, or sequence. | It rained; however, we went out. |
Adverbial Clauses | Entire clauses that function as adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. | I left because it was late. |
Adverbs Without “Ly” | Adverbs that do not end in “-ly” but still describe how, when, where, or to what extent. | He runs fast. |
Adverb Examples for Every Occasion
Read through these lists carefully to absorb all the awesome adverbs. You’ll find adverbs of every kind and for every occasion.
Common Adverbs
- Quickly: He ran quickly to catch the bus.
- Slowly: The turtle moved slowly through the grass.
- Brightly: The stars shone brightly in the night sky.
- Quietly: She tiptoed quietly into the room.
- Clearly: He spoke clearly so everyone could hear.
- Boldly: She boldly challenged the unfair rule.
- Nearly: He nearly missed the flight.
- Sadly: The child cried sadly after losing his toy.
- Happily: They danced happily at the wedding.
- Eagerly: He eagerly opened his birthday gift.
- Politely: She politely declined the invitation.
- Abruptly: The car stopped abruptly at the red light.
- Lovingly: He looked lovingly at the baby.
- Wildly: The wind blew wildly through the trees.
- Softly: She sang softly to the baby.
- Easily: The problem was easily solved.
- Firmly: He firmly stated his opinion.
- Cheerfully: The kids greeted their teacher cheerfully.
- Greedily: The dog ate its food greedily.
- Calmly: She calmly explained the situation.
Conjunctive Adverbs
- However: I wanted to go to the party; however, I was too tired.
- Therefore: He studied all night; therefore, he passed the test.
- Moreover: The book is well-written; moreover, it’s easy to read.
- Nevertheless: It was raining; nevertheless, we went hiking.
- Instead: She stayed home instead of going out.
- Accordingly: The rules were unclear; accordingly, the results were disputed.
- Meanwhile: He worked on the project; meanwhile, she prepared dinner.
- Consequently: He didn’t lock the door; consequently, the cat escaped.
- Otherwise: Finish your homework; otherwise, you can’t watch TV.
- Similarly: They both failed the test; similarly, they were unprepared.
- Furthermore: I’m busy; furthermore, I don’t want to go.
- Hence: The road was icy; hence, we drove carefully.
- Likewise: She enjoys painting; likewise, he likes photography.
- Besides: I don’t want to go; besides, I’m tired.
- Undoubtedly: He is undoubtedly the best player.
- Certainly: It will certainly rain today.
- Indeed: This is indeed a historic moment.
- Thereafter: He left the company and thereafter started his own business.
- Nonetheless: It was risky; nonetheless, they took the chance.
- Thus: The evidence was convincing; thus, he was acquitted.
Adverbs as Clauses
- When: Call me when you’re ready.
- Where: Let’s sit where it’s quieter.
- Why: She left because she was upset.
- Since: He’s been happy since he moved.
- Although: Although it was cold, they went swimming.
- Until: Stay here until I get back.
- While: She read while he cooked dinner.
- Unless: Don’t call unless it’s an emergency.
- As if: He acted as if nothing happened.
- Even though: I stayed awake even though I was exhausted.
- Before: Let’s finish this before it gets dark.
- After: They went out after the rain stopped.
- Whenever: Call me whenever you need help.
- Wherever: We’ll go wherever you want.
- So that: Study hard so that you can pass.
- Because: I’m late because the train was delayed.
- Though: He came, though he wasn’t invited.
- As long as: Stay as long as you like.
- Once: Once you finish, we can leave.
- If: If it rains, we’ll cancel the picnic.
Adverbs Without “Ly”
- Fast: The car drove fast down the highway.
- Hard: She worked hard to finish the project.
- Late: He arrived late to the meeting.
- Straight: Walk straight down the path.
- High: The eagle soared high above the mountains.
- Near: The restaurant is near the park.
- Deep: The well is deep in the ground.
- Soon: I’ll call you soon.
- Far: The village is far from the city.
- Much: She doesn’t eat much during the day.
- Long: The meeting lasted long into the night.
- Early: She woke up early for her flight.
- Wide: The door opened wide.
- Close: Stay close to me in the crowd.
- Together: We worked on the project together.
- Backward: He took a step backward.
- Forward: Move forward and take your seat.
- Low: The airplane flew low over the town.
- Overseas: He traveled overseas for business.
- Downtown: Let’s meet downtown for lunch.
Adverbs of Time
- Now: I need you here now.
- Later: We’ll do it later.
- Soon: The train will arrive soon.
- Yesterday: I called him yesterday.
- Today: She’s working on it today.
- Tomorrow: We’ll visit them tomorrow.
- Already: She’s already finished the book.
- Never: I’ve never been there.
- Always: He’s always on time.
- Sometimes: Sometimes we eat out on Fridays.
- Occasionally: I occasionally skip breakfast.
- Frequently: We frequently visit the park.
- Recently: I recently started a new hobby.
- Still: I still haven’t found my keys.
- Yet: Have you finished yet?
- Eventually: We’ll get there eventually.
- Daily: She exercises daily.
- Weekly: He attends the meeting weekly.
- Monthly: The report is submitted monthly.
- Yearly: We go on vacation yearly.
- Periodically: The system is checked periodically.
- Shortly: He will arrive shortly.
- Tonight: Let’s watch a movie tonight.
- Immediately: Please call me immediately.
- Afterward: We’ll discuss it afterward.
- Promptly: The train left promptly at 5 PM.
- Early: She arrived early to prepare.
- Late: He came late to the meeting.
- Eventually: I’ll tell you the story eventually.
- Historically: This area was historically a trade hub.
- Annually: We celebrate this day annually.
- Quarterly: Reports are updated quarterly.
- Rarely: She rarely eats fast food.
- Daily: Newspapers are published daily.
- Forever: This memory will stay with me forever.
- Infrequently: He infrequently goes to the gym.
- Lately: Have you seen her lately?
- Previously: She had previously worked at the company.
- Constantly: They constantly argue about trivial matters.
- Instantly: He instantly regretted his decision.
- Temporarily: The store is temporarily closed.
- Perpetually: She is perpetually cheerful.
- Continuously: The water flows continuously.
- Momentarily: I’ll join you momentarily.
- Intermittently: It rained intermittently throughout the day.
- Chronologically: The events were arranged chronologically.
- Punctually: He punctually attends every meeting.
- Swiftly: She swiftly completed the task.
Adverbs of Place
- Here: Put your bag here.
- There: Leave it over there.
- Everywhere: I’ve looked everywhere for my wallet.
- Upstairs: She’s waiting upstairs.
- Downstairs: The kids are playing downstairs.
- Inside: Let’s go inside; it’s cold.
- Outside: We’ll eat outside on the patio.
- Abroad: He studied abroad last year.
- Nearby: There’s a coffee shop nearby.
- Above: The stars twinkled above us.
- Below: The river flows below the bridge.
- Ahead: The road ahead is clear.
- Anywhere: Sit anywhere you like.
- Behind: The cat hid behind the curtain.
- Underneath: The treasure was hidden underneath the rock.
- Elsewhere: He looked elsewhere for inspiration.
- Inward: The doors opened inward.
- Outward: The flowers faced outward toward the sun.
- Beyond: The mountains are beyond the valley.
- Overhead: Planes flew overhead throughout the day.
- Underground: The train moves underground in the city.
- Nearby: A bakery is nearby.
- Farther: Let’s go farther into the woods.
- Nowhere: He’s nowhere to be found.
- Anywhere: You can park your car anywhere.
- Elsewhere: We found cheaper tickets elsewhere.
- Sideways: He glanced sideways at her.
- Backwards: She fell backwards into the chair.
- Forwards: Step forwards to be in the picture.
- Underneath: Place the rug underneath the table.
- Indoors: It’s safer to stay indoors during the storm.
- Outdoors: They’re hosting the event outdoors.
- Above: Birds were flying above us.
- Below: The box is stored below the shelf.
- Within: The treasure is hidden within the cave.
- Nearby: There’s a gas station nearby.
- Anywhere: You can sit anywhere you like.
- Northward: The group traveled northward for days.
- Southward: The path bends southward after the hill.
- Eastward: The ship sailed eastward across the sea.
- Westward: The pioneers traveled westward.
- Outback: They explored the Australian outback.
- Wherever: You can set up the tent wherever you prefer.
- Between: The ball is between the chairs.
- Downhill: The skiers went downhill at great speed.
- Uptown: We’re heading uptown for dinner.
Adverbs of Manner
- Gently: He gently placed the vase on the shelf.
- Loudly: She laughed loudly at the joke.
- Quickly: He quickly ran to the door.
- Silently: She silently crept into the room.
- Carefully: Handle the glass carefully.
- Bravely: The firefighter bravely entered the burning building.
- Easily: She solved the puzzle easily.
- Cheerfully: They greeted us cheerfully.
- Angrily: He angrily slammed the book shut.
- Rudely: She rudely interrupted the speaker.
- Smoothly: The process went smoothly.
- Carelessly: He carelessly left the door unlocked.
- Elegantly: She danced elegantly at the recital.
- Patiently: Wait patiently for your turn.
- Abruptly: The show ended abruptly.
- Faithfully: He served his country faithfully.
- Eagerly: They eagerly awaited the news.
- Firmly: He firmly shook her hand.
- Reluctantly: She reluctantly agreed to the plan.
- Hastily: He hastily packed his bags.
- Deliberately: She deliberately avoided eye contact.
- Calmly: He calmly explained his decision.
- Casually: She casually mentioned her promotion.
- Furiously: The storm furiously battered the coastline.
- Passionately: He passionately defended his beliefs.
- Boldly: The artist boldly expressed her vision.
- Quietly: The baby slept quietly in her crib.
- Urgently: They urgently called for help.
- Confidently: She confidently presented her ideas.
- Suspiciously: He suspiciously eyed the stranger.
- Brilliantly: The actor performed brilliantly on stage.
- Tensely: He tensely awaited the results.
- Naturally: She spoke naturally with the guests.
- Sincerely: He sincerely apologized for his mistake.
- Aggressively: The dog barked aggressively at the stranger.
- Wildly: The leaves blew wildly in the wind.
- Neatly: The papers were neatly stacked on the desk.
- Messily: He messily scribbled notes on the page.
- Proudly: She proudly showed her work.
- Cleverly: The detective cleverly solved the case.
- Gracefully: The swan moved gracefully across the pond.
- Dramatically: She dramatically sighed and left the room.
- Humbly: He humbly accepted the award.
- Optimistically: She optimistically started her new project.
- Decisively: He acted decisively in a crisis.
Adverbs of Degree
- Very: I’m very tired today.
- Too: You’re driving too fast.
- Extremely: It’s extremely cold outside.
- Barely: He barely passed the exam.
- Quite: The food was quite delicious.
- Nearly: I nearly missed my train.
- Almost: The movie was almost over when we arrived.
- Fully: I fully support your decision.
- Entirely: She was entirely focused on her work.
- Absolutely: This is absolutely the best cake I’ve ever had.
- Hardly: I hardly recognized him.
- Partly: The problem is partly solved.
- Utterly: The house was utterly destroyed.
- Totally: The show was totally worth it.
- Fairly: The exam was fairly easy.
- Moderately: The room was moderately warm.
- Just: I just finished my homework.
- Merely: It was merely a misunderstanding.
- Enough: The soup is hot enough to eat.
- Perfectly: The timing was perfectly planned.
- Exceedingly: He performed exceedingly well.
- Slightly: The soup is slightly salty.
- Almost: She almost forgot her umbrella.
- Totally: This idea is totally brilliant.
- Severely: He was severely punished for his actions.
- Deeply: I’m deeply grateful for your help.
- So: It’s so quiet in here.
- Barely: She barely made it on time.
- Highly: This method is highly effective.
- Completely: The work is completely done.
- Scarcely: I scarcely noticed him enter the room.
- Certainly: She is certainly the best candidate.
- Clearly: He clearly stated his goals.
- Absolutely: She absolutely deserves the award.
- Altogether: It’s altogether surprising to see him here.
- Intensely: He stared at the screen intensely.
- Vastly: The quality has vastly improved.
- Particularly: The dress is particularly stunning.
- Incredibly: The view was incredibly beautiful.
- Phenomenally: The artist performed phenomenally.
- Profoundly: I am profoundly moved by your words.
- Slightly: The color is slightly off.
- Rather: The weather is rather cold today.
- Awfully: The room is awfully messy.
- Overly: He was overly cautious.
Here is a good video that really simplifies adverb examples:
Final Thoughts: Adverb Examples
A word of caution: Don’t overuse adverbs in your writing. But don’t needlessly avoid them, either.
Use them intentionally, carefully, and freely.
For more words to level up your writing, check out the other blog posts below.