Here are some rules for using adverb which can be very useful for finding errors in competitive exams.

 

Rule: The adverb ‘too much’ is used with nouns and adverb ‘much too’ is used with adjective.
Ex:

  • His elbow injury gives him too much pain.
    (Here pain is a noun)
  • He is much too careless.
    (Here careless is adjective)

 

Rule: Generally fairly is used with positive sense and rather is used with negative or unfavourable sense.
Ex:

  • Garima is fairly smart.
  • This is rather boring movie.

 

Rule: Enough should be preceded by an adjective.
Ex:

  • Richa is now strong enough to lift this bag. (Correct)
    Richa is now enough strong to lift this bag. (Incorrect)
  • Sudha is intelligent enough to clear this exam. (Correct)
    Sudha is enough intelligent to clear this exam. (Incorrect)

 

Rule: Adverb ‘very’ is used in positive degree while adverb ‘much’ is used in comparative degree.
Ex:

  • Hardik is very intelligent.
  • Cheetah is much faster than elephant.

 

Rule: Late shows period of time and lately shows recently.
Ex:

  • You should not come late. (Correct)
    You should not come lately. (Incorrect)
  • Sumitra lately had an elbow surgery. (Correct)
    Sumitra late had an elbow surgery. (Incorrect)

 

Rule: If the sentence is beginning with hardly, never, seldom, scarcely, rarely, no sooner etc. then the verb is used in inverted form.
Ex:

  • No sooner had they entered the theatre than the movie started. (Correct)
    No sooner they had entered the theatre than the movie started. (Incorrect)
  • Hardly does he go to gym. (Correct)
    Hardly he goes to gym. (Incorrect)

 

Definition and types of adverb.