Chapter: The Adverb
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
adverb — ক্রিয়া বিশেষণadverbial — ক্রিয়া-বিশেষণীয় পদ বা পদগুচ্ছadverbial phrase — ক্রিয়া-বিশেষণীয় পদগুচ্ছadverbial clause — ক্রিয়া-বিশেষণীয় অনুসর্গ বাক্যmanner — ধরন বা পদ্ধতিplace — স্থানtime — সময়frequency — ঘটনার পুনরাবৃত্তির হারdegree — মাত্রাintensifier — মাত্রাবর্ধক ক্রিয়া বিশেষণinterrogative adverb — প্রশ্নবোধক ক্রিয়া বিশেষণaffirmation — সম্মতি বা ইতিবাচকতাnegation — অস্বীকৃতি বা নেতিবাচকতাpurpose — উদ্দেশ্যreason — কারণmodify — অর্থ পরিবর্তন বা বিশেষিত করাhard — পরিশ্রমসহকারেhardly — প্রায় নাnearly — প্রায়rarely — কদাচিৎcertainly — অবশ্যইabsolutely — সম্পূর্ণরূপে
📃 Word Formation Rules
► Many adverbs of manner are formed by adding -ly to an adjective: cordial → cordially, serious → seriously, regular → regularly.
► When an adjective ends in consonant + y, change y to i and add -ly: easy → easily, happy → happily.
► When an adjective ends in -le, usually remove the final e and add -y: gentle → gently, simple → simply.
► Some adverbs have irregular forms: good → well, hard → hard, fast → fast, late → late.
► Hardly is not the regular adverbial meaning of hard; hard means ‘with effort’, while hardly means ‘almost not’.
► Adverbs of degree are generally placed before an adjective or another adverb: very sweet, quite well, absolutely true.
► Adverbs of frequency generally occur before the main verb but after the verb ‘be’: He often reads; He is always punctual.
► An adverbial can be a word, phrase, or clause that modifies a verb: tomorrow, in the afternoon, because the weather was foggy.
1. Core Adverbs of Manner (8 words)
hard[/hɑːrd/]adveasy
Meaning: with great effort — কঠোরভাবে বা পরিশ্রমসহকারে
Alt: with force or intensity — জোরালোভাবে
Example: Salam is trying hard to go abroad.
Syn: diligentlyAnt: lazily
💡 Exam tip: Hard means ‘with effort’; hardly means ‘almost not’ and has a different meaning.
well[/wel/]adveasy
Meaning: in a good or satisfactory manner — ভালোভাবে
Alt: properly or successfully — সঠিকভাবে বা সফলভাবে
Example: I have done very well in the examination.
Syn: properlyAnt: badly
💡 Exam tip: Well is the adverbial form commonly used with the verb ‘do’.
badly[/ˈbædli/]adveasy
Meaning: in an unsatisfactory manner — খারাপভাবে
Alt: severely or seriously — মারাত্মকভাবে
Example: He performed badly in the test.
Syn: poorlyAnt: well
💡 Exam tip: Badly modifies a verb, whereas bad generally modifies a noun or follows a linking verb.
loudly[/ˈlaʊdli/]adveasy
Meaning: in a loud manner — উচ্চস্বরে
Alt: with much noise — প্রচণ্ড শব্দে
Example: The boy is reading loudly.
Syn: noisilyAnt: quietly
💡 Exam tip: It is an adverb of manner answering the question ‘How?’
brutally[/ˈbruːtəli/]advmedium
Meaning: in a cruel or violent way — নিষ্ঠুরভাবে
Alt: without mercy — নির্মমভাবে
Example: The prisoner was brutally attacked.
Syn: cruellyAnt: gently
💡 Exam tip: Identify it as an adverb of manner because it describes how an action occurs.
cordially[/ˈkɔːrdiəli/]advmedium
Meaning: in a friendly and sincere manner — আন্তরিকভাবে
Alt: warmly and politely — উষ্ণভাবে ও ভদ্রভাবে
Example: He invited me very cordially.
Syn: warmlyAnt: coldly
💡 Exam tip: Cordially is often used to describe a polite or friendly action.
seriously[/ˈsɪəriəsli/]adveasy
Meaning: in a serious manner — গুরুতরভাবে
Alt: severely or earnestly — মারাত্মকভাবে বা আন্তরিকভাবে
Example: He was wounded very seriously.
Syn: severelyAnt: slightly
💡 Exam tip: Very can modify seriously because very is an adverb of degree.
indifferently[/ɪnˈdɪfrəntli/]advhard
Meaning: without interest or concern — উদাসীনভাবে
Alt: without preference — নির্লিপ্তভাবে
Example: He looked at me quite indifferently.
Syn: apatheticallyAnt: enthusiastically
💡 Exam tip: Quite modifies indifferently; therefore quite is an adverb modifying another adverb.
2. Adverbs of Place and Time (8 words)
abroad[/əˈbrɔːd/]adveasy
Meaning: in or to a foreign country — বিদেশে
Alt: outside one’s own country — নিজ দেশের বাইরে
Example: Salam wants to go abroad for higher studies.
Syn: overseasAnt: domestically
💡 Exam tip: Abroad is generally used as an adverb and is not normally preceded by ‘to’.
here[/hɪər/]adveasy
Meaning: in or at this place — এখানে
Alt: to this place — এই স্থানে
Example: It often rains here.
Syn: in this placeAnt: there
💡 Exam tip: Here is an adverb of place and answers the question ‘Where?’
there[/ðeər/]advmedium
Meaning: in or at that place — সেখানে
Alt: to or toward that place — সেই স্থানে
Example: I went there to invite my friend.
Syn: in that placeAnt: here
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse adverbial there with introductory there in sentences such as ‘There is a book.’
upstairs[/ˌʌpˈsteərz/]adveasy
Meaning: on or to an upper floor — ওপরতলায় বা ওপরতলায় গিয়ে
Alt: above the present floor — উপরের তলায়
Example: They live upstairs.
Syn: aboveAnt: downstairs
💡 Exam tip: Upstairs can function as an adverb of place without a preposition.
downstairs[/ˌdaʊnˈsteərz/]adveasy
Meaning: on or to a lower floor — নিচতলায় বা নিচতলায় গিয়ে
Alt: below the present floor — নিচের তলায়
Example: I am going downstairs.
Syn: belowAnt: upstairs
💡 Exam tip: It answers ‘Where are you going?’ and is therefore an adverb of place.
today[/təˈdeɪ/]adveasy
Meaning: on this day — আজ
Alt: during the present day — বর্তমান দিনে
Example: He saw me today.
Syn: this dayAnt: yesterday
💡 Exam tip: Today is an adverb of time and may occur at the beginning or end of a sentence.
tomorrow[/təˈmɒrəʊ/]adveasy
Meaning: on the day after today — আগামীকাল
Alt: in the near future — নিকট ভবিষ্যতে
Example: Can you see me tomorrow?
Syn: the next dayAnt: yesterday
💡 Exam tip: Tomorrow expresses future time; it usually does not need a preposition before it.
then[/ðen/]adveasy
Meaning: at that time — তখন
Alt: after that — এরপর
Example: He was almost dead then.
Syn: at that timeAnt: now
💡 Exam tip: Then may indicate a particular past time or the next stage of an action.
3. Adverbs of Frequency (8 words)
often[/ˈɒfən/]adveasy
Meaning: many times or frequently — প্রায়ই
Alt: on numerous occasions — বহুবার
Example: He often seeks my advice.
Syn: frequentlyAnt: rarely
💡 Exam tip: An adverb of frequency usually comes between the subject and the main verb.
seldom[/ˈseldəm/]advmedium
Meaning: not often — কদাচিৎ
Alt: rarely — খুব কম
Example: He seldom calls me.
Syn: rarelyAnt: often
💡 Exam tip: Seldom has a negative meaning, so avoid using another unnecessary negative with it.
rarely[/ˈreərli/]adveasy
Meaning: not frequently — কদাচিৎ
Alt: almost never — প্রায় কখনোই নয়
Example: They rarely talk with each other.
Syn: seldomAnt: frequently
💡 Exam tip: Rarely normally precedes the main verb but follows the verb ‘be’.
always[/ˈɔːlweɪz/]adveasy
Meaning: at all times — সর্বদা
Alt: on every occasion — প্রতিটি ক্ষেত্রে
Example: He always speaks the truth.
Syn: constantlyAnt: never
💡 Exam tip: Always usually comes before an ordinary verb and after an auxiliary or modal verb.
never[/ˈnevər/]adveasy
Meaning: at no time — কখনোই নয়
Alt: not ever — কোনো সময়ই নয়
Example: He never tells a lie.
Syn: not everAnt: always
💡 Exam tip: Never is already negative; do not generally use ‘not’ with it.
usually[/ˈjuːʒuəli/]adveasy
Meaning: in most cases — সাধারণত
Alt: normally — স্বাভাবিকভাবে
Example: He usually comes here in the afternoon.
Syn: normallyAnt: rarely
💡 Exam tip: Usually expresses a habitual action and commonly appears before the main verb.
frequently[/ˈfriːkwəntli/]advmedium
Meaning: very often — ঘন ঘন
Alt: regularly — নিয়মিতভাবে
Example: She frequently visits her grandmother.
Syn: oftenAnt: infrequently
💡 Exam tip: Frequently is a formal synonym of often and is useful in substitution questions.
regularly[/ˈreɡjələrli/]adveasy
Meaning: at regular intervals — নিয়মিতভাবে
Alt: consistently — ধারাবাহিকভাবে
Example: We visit each other regularly.
Syn: consistentlyAnt: irregularly
💡 Exam tip: Regularly answers the question ‘How frequently?’ and functions as an adverbial of frequency.
4. Adverbs of Degree and Intensifiers (8 words)
very[/ˈveri/]adveasy
Meaning: to a high degree — অত্যন্ত
Alt: much or greatly — খুব বা অনেক
Example: This mango is very sweet.
Syn: extremelyAnt: slightly
💡 Exam tip: Very normally comes before an adjective or another adverb.
too[/tuː/]adveasy
Meaning: more than is desirable — অতিরিক্ত
Alt: also — এছাড়াও
Example: He is too weak to walk.
Syn: excessivelyAnt: adequately
💡 Exam tip: In ‘too weak to walk’, too means ‘excessively’, not ‘also’.
quite[/kwaɪt/]advmedium
Meaning: to a considerable degree — বেশ
Alt: completely in some contexts — সম্পূর্ণভাবে
Example: You have done quite well.
Syn: ratherAnt: slightly
💡 Exam tip: Quite may modify an adjective or an adverb, such as quite tall or quite well.
fairly[/ˈfeərli/]advmedium
Meaning: to a moderately high degree — মোটামুটি বা বেশ
Alt: reasonably — যুক্তিসংগতভাবে
Example: The girl is fairly tall.
Syn: reasonablyAnt: extremely
💡 Exam tip: Fairly usually expresses a moderate degree, weaker than very or extremely.
nearly[/ˈnɪərli/]adveasy
Meaning: almost but not completely — প্রায়
Alt: not quite — সম্পূর্ণ নয় এমন
Example: Nearly everybody was late.
Syn: almostAnt: exactly
💡 Exam tip: Nearly may modify a pronoun, noun phrase, adjective, or quantity.
almost[/ˈɔːlmoʊst/]adveasy
Meaning: very nearly — প্রায়
Alt: not completely — সম্পূর্ণরূপে নয়
Example: He lost almost everything.
Syn: nearlyAnt: completely
💡 Exam tip: Almost everything is correct; ‘almost all’ is also commonly used before a determiner.
absolutely[/ˌæbsəˈluːtli/]advmedium
Meaning: completely or totally — সম্পূর্ণরূপে
Alt: without any doubt — নিঃসন্দেহে
Example: His statement was absolutely true.
Syn: completelyAnt: partly
💡 Exam tip: Absolutely is a strong intensifier and commonly modifies extreme adjectives.
totally[/ˈtoʊtəli/]adveasy
Meaning: completely — সম্পূর্ণভাবে
Alt: entirely — একেবারে
Example: He is totally mad.
Syn: entirelyAnt: partially
💡 Exam tip: Totally is an adverb of degree because it increases the force of ‘mad’.
5. Interrogative, Affirmative and Negative Adverbs (8 words)
where[/weər/]adveasy
Meaning: in or to what place — কোথায়
Alt: at or in which place — কোন স্থানে
Example: Where are you going?
Syn: in what placeAnt: nowhere
💡 Exam tip: Where is an interrogative adverb asking about place and usually begins the question.
when[/wen/]adveasy
Meaning: at what time — কখন
Alt: on what occasion — কোন সময়ে
Example: When do you sleep at night?
Syn: at what timeAnt: never
💡 Exam tip: When asks about the time of an action.
how[/haʊ/]adveasy
Meaning: in what manner — কীভাবে
Alt: to what degree — কতটা
Example: How did you do the work?
Syn: in what wayAnt: randomly
💡 Exam tip: How asks about manner and can also be used with adjectives to ask about degree.
why[/waɪ/]adveasy
Meaning: for what reason — কেন
Alt: with what purpose — কী কারণে
Example: Why are you laughing?
Syn: for what reasonAnt: therefore
💡 Exam tip: Why is an interrogative adverb of cause or reason.
surely[/ˈʃʊərli/]adveasy
Meaning: certainly or undoubtedly — নিশ্চয়ই
Alt: without doubt — সন্দেহাতীতভাবে
Example: You will surely pass the examination.
Syn: certainlyAnt: doubtfully
💡 Exam tip: Surely is an adverb of affirmation expressing confidence.
certainly[/ˈsɜːrtnli/]adveasy
Meaning: definitely — অবশ্যই
Alt: without question — নিঃসন্দেহে
Example: I will certainly see you.
Syn: surelyAnt: possibly
💡 Exam tip: Certainly is often used to affirm a statement or agreement.
yes[/jes/]adveasy
Meaning: used to express agreement — হ্যাঁ
Alt: used to give an affirmative reply — সম্মতিসূচক উত্তর
Example: ‘Do you like cricket?’ ‘Yes, I do.’
Syn: certainlyAnt: no
💡 Exam tip: Yes is an adverb of affirmation in short answers.
no[/noʊ/]adveasy
Meaning: used to express refusal or disagreement — না
Alt: not at all — মোটেই নয়
Example: ‘Will you come here?’ ‘No, I won’t.’
Syn: notAnt: yes
💡 Exam tip: No is an adverb of negation in a negative reply.
6. Adverbials: Phrases and Clauses (8 words)
afternoon[/ˌɑːftərˈnuːn/]nouneasy
Meaning: the period after midday — অপরাহ্ণ
Alt: the time between noon and evening — দুপুরের পর থেকে সন্ধ্যা পর্যন্ত সময়
Example: I asked him to come in the afternoon.
Syn: daytimeAnt: night
💡 Exam tip: ‘In the afternoon’ is an adverbial phrase of time.
week[/wiːk/]nouneasy
Meaning: a period of seven days — সপ্তাহ
Alt: any seven-day period — সাত দিনের সময়কাল
Example: I shall go to Dhaka next week.
Syn: seven-day periodAnt: moment
💡 Exam tip: ‘Next week’ functions as an adverbial of time.
bus[/bʌs/]nouneasy
Meaning: a large vehicle for carrying passengers — বাস
Alt: public road transport — গণপরিবহন
Example: I am going by bus.
Syn: coachAnt: walk
💡 Exam tip: ‘By bus’ is an adverbial phrase of manner or means.
purpose[/ˈpɜːrpəs/]nounmedium
Meaning: the reason for doing something — উদ্দেশ্য
Alt: an intended result — অভিপ্রেত ফল
Example: I went home to take rest.
Syn: aimAnt: aimlessness
💡 Exam tip: An infinitive phrase such as ‘to take rest’ is an adverbial of purpose.
seminar[/ˈsemɪnɑːr/]nounmedium
Meaning: a meeting for discussion or study — সেমিনার
Alt: an academic conference — শিক্ষামূলক আলোচনা সভা
Example: Mukul is going there to attend a seminar.
Syn: conferenceAnt: solitude
💡 Exam tip: ‘To attend a seminar’ is an adverbial phrase of purpose.
because[/bɪˈkɒz/]adveasy
Meaning: for the reason that — কারণ
Alt: used to introduce a reason — কারণ বোঝাতে ব্যবহৃত
Example: The flight was delayed because the weather was foggy.
Syn: asAnt: although
💡 Exam tip: In this context, the because-clause is an adverbial clause of reason.
wherever[/weərˈevər/]advmedium
Meaning: in or to any place — যেকোনো স্থানে
Alt: at every place where — যেখানে যেখানে
Example: You can sit wherever you like.
Syn: anywhereAnt: nowhere
💡 Exam tip: ‘Wherever you like’ is a dependent adverbial clause of place.
before[/bɪˈfɔːr/]adveasy
Meaning: earlier than a particular time — পূর্বে
Alt: at an earlier time — আগে
Example: She had been married off before she was eighteen.
Syn: earlierAnt: after
💡 Exam tip: A before-clause may function as an adverbial clause of time.
💡 Exam Tips
• Ask ‘How?’, ‘Where?’, ‘When?’, ‘How frequently?’, or ‘Why?’ to identify the function of an adverbial.
• Do not identify every word ending in -ly as an adverb without checking its function and meaning.
• Remember that all adverbs are adverbials, but all adverbials are not adverbs.
• Distinguish an adverb from an adverbial phrase: ‘tomorrow’ is an adverb, while ‘next week’ is an adverbial phrase.
• In transformation questions, place adverbs of frequency correctly: before an ordinary verb and after an auxiliary or the verb ‘be’.
• Use ‘well’ as the adverb of ‘good’ when describing an action: She sings well.
• Do not confuse ‘too’ meaning ‘excessively’ with ‘too’ meaning ‘also’.
• Interrogative adverbs such as where, when, how, and why generally begin direct questions.
• For classification questions, hard, cordially, and loudly are adverbs of manner; abroad and here are adverbs of place; today and then are adverbs of time.
• A phrase beginning with ‘to’ may be an adverbial of purpose when it explains why an action is performed.
• A dependent clause introduced by because, before, after, or wherever can function as an adverbial clause.
• In sentence analysis, identify both the adverb and the word it modifies.