Adjectives or Adverbs? Confusing cases

Filed in English Grammar

Some words ending in -ly are adjectives, and not normally adverbs.

Common examples are: costly, cowardly, deadly, friendly, likely, lively, lonely, lovely, silly, ugly and unlikely.

• She has a lovely daughter.
  
• Don't be silly.
  
• It was a lively discussion.
  

Some adverbs and adjectives have the same form.

Examples are: fast, hard, high, late, near, straight, wrong, daily, early, leisurely etc.

• It is a fast (adjective) car.
  
• A fast (adjective) car goes fast (adverb).
  
• He drove fast (adverb).
  
• Hard (adjective) work pays.
  
• You must work hard (adverb).
  
• He is an early (adjective) riser.
  
• I got up early (adverb) today.
  
• It is easy (adjective).
  
• Take it easy (adverb)
  

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