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Adverbs with two forms

In some cases, the adverb may have two forms, one like the adjective and the other with –ly. There is usually a difference of meaning or use. Some examples are given below.

Dead and Deadly

In certain expressions, the adverb dead is used to mean ‘exactly’, ‘completely’ or ‘very’.

Examples are: dead certain, dead slow, dead right, dead drunk etc.

Deadly is an adjective. It means ‘fatal’, ‘causing death’. The adverb for this meaning is fatally.

• Cyanide is a deadly poison.
• She was fatally injured.

Fine and Finely

The adverb fine means ‘well’.

• ‘How are you?’ ‘I am fine.’

The adverb finely is used to talk about small careful adjustments and similar ideas.

• a finely tuned machine

Free and Freely

When used after a verb, the adverb free means ‘without payment’.

• Buy two shirts and get one free.
• Can I eat free in your restaurant?

Freely means ‘without limit or restriction’.

• Speak freely.

Hard and Hardly

The adverb hard means ‘heavily’, ‘severely’ or ‘with difficulty’.

• You must work hard.

Hardly means ‘almost not’.

• I have hardly any money left.

Late and Lately

The adverb late has a similar meaning to the adjective late. Lately means ‘a short time ago’ and ‘recently’.

• We will be late for dinner.
• It is getting late.
• I haven’t read anything lately.

Most and Mostly

Most is the superlative of much. It is used to form superlative adjectives and adverbs.

• Those who have the most money are not always the happiest.
• What pleased me most was his helping nature.

In a formal style, most can mean ‘very’.

• This is a most (=very) interesting book.

Mostly means ‘chiefly’, ‘generally’ or ‘in most cases’.

• My friends are mostly non-smokers.

Real and Really

In informal American English, real is often used before adjectives and adverbs. It means the same as really.

• That was real nice. (=really nice)
• She sings real well. (=really well)

Sure and Surely

In an informal style, sure is often used to mean ‘certainly’. This is common in American English.

• ‘Can I borrow your bicycle?’ ‘Sure.’

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