What Are Flat Adverbs?
Flat adverbs are adverbs that look like adjectives because they don’t end in “-ly”—but they still describe actions. They’ve been around for centuries, and while many of them once had an “-ly” form, the shorter version stuck around in everyday use.
A common confusion with flat adverbs is that they sometimes look exactly like adjectives, making people wonder if they’re being used correctly. The key is to remember that adverbs describe actions (verbs), while adjectives describe nouns.
Examples:
- She sings loud. (Describes how she sings → adverb)
- Her voice is loud. (Describes her voice → adjective)
Types of Flat Adverbs
1. Some flat adverbs don’t have an “-ly” form.
These words are naturally adverbs, and there’s no alternative “-ly” version.
Examples:
- She writes fast.
- I’ll be there soon.
2. Some flat adverbs have an “-ly” version with the same meaning.
You can use either form, and they mean the same thing.
Examples:
- The sun shines bright.
- The sun shines brightly.
(Both are correct and mean the same thing.)
3. Some flat adverbs have an “-ly” version, but the meaning changes.
This is where things get tricky! Using “-ly” can completely change what you’re saying.
Examples:
- He worked hard. (He put in a lot of effort.)
- He hardly worked. (He barely did any work.)
So, When Should You Use Flat Adverbs?
- In casual speech and informal writing, flat adverbs are common and sound natural.
- In formal writing, some people prefer “-ly” adverbs, especially in academic or professional contexts.
- If using a flat adverb makes a sentence unclear or confusing, switching to the “-ly” version might help.
But overall, flat adverbs are just a natural part of English! So whether you decide to speak loud or speak loudly, both can be right depending on the situation.