English — Adjective vs adverb (good/well)
An adjective describes a noun (a quick answer), while an adverb describes a verb, adjective or another adverb (answer quickly). Most adverbs add -ly, but some are irregular and a few pairs change meaning entirely.
How it works
Use the adjective form after be and linking verbs (She is quick), and the adverb form to describe the action itself (She works quickly). The regular pattern is adjective + -ly: slow → slowly, careful → carefully. The adjective good has the special adverb well: It's a good plan / She sings well.
Examples
| Adjective → Adverb | Example in use |
|---|---|
| quick → quickly | She gave a quick answer. / She answered quickly. |
| careful → carefully | Be careful! / Read the label carefully. |
| good → well (irregular) | It's good coffee. / She speaks English well. |
| fast → fast (no -ly) | a fast car / He drives fast. |
| hard → hard (no -ly) | hard work / They work hard. |
| hard → hardly (different meaning) | I could hardly hear you. (= almost not) |
| late → late / lately | a late train / He arrived late. / Have you seen her lately? |
Good to know
Watch the traps. Fast and hard are already adverbs — there is no fastly or hardly meaning "a lot": say He works hard, not hardly. Hardly means "almost not" (I hardly slept), and lately means "recently" (I've been busy lately), not "late." Also note: well is an adjective meaning "healthy" (I don't feel well), so it isn't always the adverb of good.