The Difference Between Adverbs of Manner and Adverbs of Degree
1.
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner communicate how something happened. They are generally used to modify verbs. In the sentence, they appear after
the verb or after the object. They should not be placed between the verb and
its object.
- The boy laughed loudly.
- Elena did a pirouette gracefully.
Not: Elena did gracefully a pirouette.
We normally use Adverbs of Manner
with dynamic (action) verbs, not with stative or state verbs.
- He ran fast. She came quickly. They worked happily.
- She looked beautifully. It seems strangely. They are happily.
(incorrect)
2.
Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree tell us the degree or intensity to which something
happened.They can modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs of degree are
generally placed before the main verb or the adjective or adverb they modify.
- She was entirely wrong in her judgment.
- He drove very quickly.
- Clarisse thoroughly believes he is innocent.
- She is too stubborn to change her mind.
The difference
between an adverb
of manner and
an adverb of degree can be confusing. An adverb of manner describes the way in which something was done, rather
than the level to which it was done. The sentence “he finished his work” can be
altered by either an adverb of manner or an adverb of degree. “He joyfully
finished his work” adds an adverb of manner, meaning that he completed his work
in a happy, positive fashion. “He completely finished his work” tells the
listener or reader to what degree he finished his work, not the way in which it
was finished.
