30 Best Exercises on Adverbs of Manner for All Levels

Understanding how actions are done is key to expressing ideas more clearly. That’s where adverbs of manner come in. They help students describe actions in more vivid and accurate ways—whether someone speaks softly, drives carefully, or runs quickly.

But for many ESL learners, choosing the right adverb or knowing where to place it can be tricky. Students may mix up word forms or forget to use adverbs at all.

This post is here to help. You’ll find 30 creative exercises on adverbs of manner, starting from beginner-level identification to advanced writing and editing tasks.

Each activity focuses on a specific skill—matching verbs and adverbs, correcting common errors, transforming sentences, and writing with more style and precision. These exercises work great for group activities, individual practice, or homework. No extra prep required.

Whether your students are just learning the basics at A1 level or polishing their writing skills at C2, there’s something for every learner here.

What Are Adverbs of Manner?

Adverbs of manner tell us how an action happens. They usually answer the question “How does someone do something?”

Most adverbs of manner are made by adding -ly to an adjective:

• quick → quickly
• careful → carefully
• quiet → quietly

Some adverbs don’t follow this rule. For example:

• fast (adjective and adverb are the same)
• well (the adverb form of good)

Adverbs of manner usually come after the verb or after the object in a sentence:

• She sings beautifully.
• They finished the work quickly.
• He answered the question calmly.

They help students speak and write more clearly by adding detail and emotion to actions.

Learning to use adverbs of manner correctly builds fluency and helps learners express themselves more naturally.

Here’s the table of 15 common adverbs of manner with example sentences. This will help you introduce useful vocabulary before starting the exercises:

Adverb	Example Sentence
quickly	She finished her homework quickly.
carefully	He drives carefully on the icy road.
loudly	The children laughed loudly at the joke.
softly	Please speak softly in the library.
slowly	The turtle moves slowly across the path.
well	She plays the piano very well.
badly	He did badly on the test because he didn’t study.
happily	They danced happily at the party.
quietly	The baby sleeps quietly in the crib.
easily	You can solve this problem easily.
angrily	She spoke angrily to the rude customer.
politely	Always answer the phone politely.
sadly	He looked sadly at the broken toy.
bravely	The firefighter bravely saved the cat.
carelessly	Don’t drive carelessly in the city.

Exercise 1: Match the Action – Who Does It How?

Level: A1 (Beginner)
Instruction: Match each action with the most suitable adverb of manner. Write the correct adverb next to the action.

1. She sings a song. → __________
2. He drives a car. → __________
3. They eat lunch. → __________
4. I write in my notebook. → __________
5. The baby cries. → __________
6. The teacher explains. → __________
7. We walk to school. → __________
8. My cat jumps. → __________
9. You speak in class. → __________
10. The dog barks. → __________

Adverbs to use: quietly, slowly, neatly, loudly, carefully, happily, gently, quickly, clearly, badly

Exercise 2: Fill in the Blank – Complete with the Right Adverb

Level: A1 (Beginner)
Instruction: Choose the correct adverb of manner from the box and fill in the blanks.

Word Bank: slowly, happily, carefully, loudly, quietly, well, badly, quickly, angrily, politely

1. The girl opened her gift __________.
2. Please speak __________ in the library.
3. He shouted __________ at his friend.
4. The nurse helped the child __________.
5. They finished the race __________.
6. My brother plays football very __________.
7. She answered the question __________.
8. The students listened __________ to the teacher.
9. He cleaned his room __________.
10. The waiter served the food __________.

Exercise 3: Picture Clues – Choose the Best Adverb

Level: A1 (Beginner)
Instruction: Look at each picture your teacher shows or describes. Choose the adverb that best describes how the action is done.

(Note: Teachers should use flashcards or describe scenes if images are unavailable.)

1. A boy running very fast – __________
2. A girl drawing neatly – __________
3. A baby sleeping peacefully – __________
4. A man shouting – __________
5. A chef cutting vegetables – __________
6. A student raising their hand – __________
7. A cat walking on a wall – __________
8. A dog jumping into water – __________
9. A child opening a present – __________
10. A singer performing on stage – __________

Adverbs to use: neatly, quietly, quickly, carefully, loudly, gently, happily, bravely, badly, well

Exercise 4: Make It Mannerly – Add an Adverb to the Sentence

Level: A1 (Beginner)
Instruction: Read the sentence and add a suitable adverb of manner to complete it. Be creative!

1. She danced __________.
2. He wrote the letter __________.
3. They played the game __________.
4. I opened the door __________.
5. The bird flew __________.
6. We ate our lunch __________.
7. My mom smiled __________.
8. The baby cried __________.
9. The driver stopped the car __________.
10. The boy read the book __________.

Exercise 5: Fast or Slowly? Pick the Correct Option

Level: A1 (Beginner)
Instruction: Choose the correct adverb of manner from the two options in parentheses.

1. She walked (slowly / loudly).
2. He sang the song (badly / gently).
3. They worked (quietly / fast).
4. The children played (carefully / rudely).
5. I ate my food (quickly / happily).
6. The teacher spoke (clearly / slowly).
7. My sister opened the gift (sadly / excitedly).
8. The car moved (gently / quickly).
9. The boy answered (well / angrily).
10. The cat purred (softly / loudly).

Exercise 6: Fix the Sentence – Choose the Correct Adverb of Manner

Level: A2 (Elementary)
Instruction: Each sentence below has the wrong adverb of manner. Choose the better option from the two given and rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. She sings bad. (badly / well)
2. He drives careless. (carefully / careless)
3. The students listened loud. (loudly / quietly)
4. I opened the box angry. (angrily / gently)
5. They played the game boringly. (happily / boringly)
6. We finished the test slow. (slowly / quickly)
7. The cat jumped rough. (roughly / smoothly)
8. She cleaned the room noisy. (noisily / quietly)
9. He smiled sad. (sadly / warmly)
10. The baby cried soft. (softly / loudly)

Exercise 7: Two Choices – This or That Adverb?

Level: A2 (Elementary)
Instruction: Choose the better adverb for each sentence and write the full sentence with your chosen adverb.

1. He danced (gracefully / angrily).
2. She answered (rudely / politely).
3. The dog barked (softly / loudly).
4. They laughed (quietly / wildly).
5. I finished the race (slowly / quickly).
6. The student wrote the essay (badly / neatly).
7. We walked through the forest (carefully / lazily).
8. She spoke (clearly / messily).
9. The driver stopped the bus (suddenly / kindly).
10. My little brother sings (terribly / gently).

Exercise 8: Mix and Match – Verbs and Adverbs Puzzle

Level: A2 (Elementary)
Instruction: Match each verb on the left with the best adverb on the right to form a natural phrase.

1. run →
2. sing →
3. speak →
4. cry →
5. walk →
6. listen →
7. draw →
8. shout →
9. write →
10. eat →

Adverbs: loudly, neatly, quickly, quietly, well, carefully, slowly, happily, clearly, sadly

Exercise 9: Describe the Scene – Use an Adverb of Manner

Level: A2 (Elementary)
Instruction: Read each short sentence. Add one adverb of manner that best describes how the action is done. Try to imagine the scene.

1. The girl opened the gift. → __________
2. The teacher explained the lesson. → __________
3. The children played in the park. → __________
4. The waiter served the food. → __________
5. The singer performed on stage. → __________
6. The student wrote an essay. → __________
7. The dog barked at the stranger. → __________
8. I cleaned my room. → __________
9. He read the story to the class. → __________
10. She entered the room. → __________

Exercise 10: Adverb Hunt – Spot the Adverb in Each Sentence

Level: A2 (Elementary)
Instruction: Read the sentences and underline or write down the adverb of manner you find in each one.

1. She sings beautifully in the choir.
2. The children played noisily during recess.
3. He answered the question quickly.
4. They walked carefully on the ice.
5. I opened the door gently.
6. My sister painted the wall neatly.
7. We waited patiently in line.
8. The driver stopped the bus suddenly.
9. The baby slept peacefully.
10. The players practiced seriously for the match.

Exercise 11: Rewrite It Right – Add the Adverb Without Changing Meaning

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Instruction: Each sentence below explains how the action was done. Rewrite the sentence using a single adverb of manner instead of the phrase in bold.

1. She answered in a polite way.
2. He looked at me with anger.
3. They completed the task in a careful way.
4. I waited with patience.
5. He played the violin in a beautiful way.
6. We worked with great effort.
7. She entered without making any noise.
8. The baby cried with sadness.
9. The team played in a serious way.
10. He shouted with great force.

Exercise 12: Which One Sounds Better? Rank the Sentences

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Instruction: Read the two versions of each sentence and decide which one sounds more natural or correct. Write “A” or “B” and explain why.

1. A. She sings sweetly. / B. She sings sweet.
2. A. They listened careful. / B. They listened carefully.
3. A. He quickly ran out the door. / B. He ran quickly out the door.
4. A. We happily danced in the rain. / B. We danced happy in the rain.
5. A. The teacher spoke soft. / B. The teacher spoke softly.
6. A. She angrily slammed the door. / B. She slammed the door angry.
7. A. He writes neatly. / B. He writes neat.
8. A. The boy looked sad. / B. The boy looked sadly.
9. A. They eat quietly. / B. They eat quiet.
10. A. I carefully opened the box. / B. I opened the box careful.

Exercise 13: Turn the Noun Into an Adverb – Sentence Transformation

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Instruction: Change the noun or adjective into a correct adverb of manner and rewrite the sentence.

1. He spoke with confidence.
2. They worked with speed.
3. She danced with elegance.
4. I acted with caution.
5. He gave the speech with passion.
6. She looked at him with suspicion.
7. We played with joy.
8. He answered with anger.
9. She waited with patience.
10. They listened with focus.

Exercise 14: Dialogue Upgrade – Insert Adverbs for Natural Flow

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Instruction: Read the short dialogues and improve them by inserting at least one adverb of manner where it fits naturally. You can rewrite each line.

1. A: Can you help me?
   B: Sure.
2. A: Did you finish the report?
   B: Yes, I did.
3. A: How was the test?
   B: It was okay.
4. A: You spoke to the manager?
   B: Yes, I did.
5. A: Did they enjoy the show?
   B: I think so.
6. A: How did she answer the question?
   B: She answered it.
7. A: Can you sing the song again?
   B: Of course.
8. A: Are you okay?
   B: I’m fine.
9. A: Did he run the race?
   B: Yes, he ran.
10. A: You cleaned the kitchen?
    B: Yes, I did.

Exercise 15: Compare and Write – Two Ways to Do Something

Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Instruction: For each action, write two sentences using two different adverbs of manner. Show how the same action can feel different depending on how it’s done.

1. Eat (quickly / slowly)
2. Speak (clearly / quietly)
3. Run (confidently / carelessly)
4. Write (neatly / lazily)
5. Dance (gracefully / wildly)
6. Drive (carefully / recklessly)
7. Smile (warmly / nervously)
8. Play (happily / seriously)
9. Walk (angrily / calmly)
10. Sing (beautifully / terribly)

Exercise 16: Adverb or Adjective? Fix the Errors

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Instruction: Each sentence below contains a mistake with an adjective or adverb. Rewrite the sentence correctly.

1. She sings beautiful.
2. He behaved rude in class.
3. They completed the task quick.
4. She looked happily at the photo.
5. He spoke loud at the meeting.
6. The dog barked angry at the stranger.
7. You answered the question good.
8. The children played cheerful.
9. He sounded nervously during the interview.
10. She felt strongly about the issue.

Exercise 17: Describe a Day in 6 Sentences Using Different Adverbs

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Instruction: Write 6 sentences about your typical day. In each sentence, use a different adverb of manner to describe how you do something.

Example: I usually wake up slowly and stretch before getting out of bed.

1. ____________________________________________
   
2. ____________________________________________
   
3. ____________________________________________
   
4. ____________________________________________
   
5. ____________________________________________
   
6. ____________________________________________

Exercise 18: Insert the Missing Adverb – Paragraph Completion

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Instruction: Read the paragraph. There are 10 missing adverbs of manner. Choose appropriate adverbs from the box and complete the text.

Word Bank: carefully, angrily, softly, quickly, lazily, kindly, loudly, bravely, seriously, cheerfully

Yesterday was strange. I woke up __________ and made coffee. My roommate knocked on the door __________ to wake me up. I __________ got ready and rushed to the bus stop. The driver greeted me __________, but someone in the back was shouting __________. At work, I had to speak __________ in the meeting, though I felt nervous. During lunch, my friend smiled __________ and said something nice. I finished my tasks __________ and left the office early. On the way home, a dog barked __________ at a passing bike. I reached home, sat on the sofa, and __________ turned on the TV.

Exercise 19: Match the Mood – Emotion and Manner Pairing

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Instruction: Match each emotion in Column A with a suitable adverb of manner in Column B. You can use each adverb only once.

Column A (Emotion)	Column B (Adverb of Manner)
1. Excited	a. calmly
2. Sad	b. confidently
3. Confused	c. gratefully
4. Angry	d. nervously
5. Nervous	e. sadly
6. Relaxed	f. angrily
7. Confident	g. excitedly
8. Frustrated	h. energetically
9. Grateful	i. confusedly
10. Energetic	j. frustratingly

Exercise 20: Write Like a Reporter – Add Details with Adverbs

Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
Instruction: Imagine you are a news reporter. Add adverbs of manner to each sentence to make the report more descriptive. You can place the adverb where it fits best.

1. The rescue team entered the flooded building.
2. The students answered the teacher’s questions.
3. The players accepted their loss.
4. The politician responded to the accusations.
5. The firefighters carried the injured man.
6. The teacher welcomed the new students.
7. The protestors chanted slogans.
8. The nurse treated the patient.
9. The actor received the award.
10. The driver avoided the accident.

Exercise 21: Reword and Refine – Upgrade with More Precise Adverbs

Level: C1 (Advanced)
Instruction: Replace the underlined adverb in each sentence with a more precise adverb of manner. Keep the sentence meaning clear and strong.

1. She spoke nicely during the interview.
2. He quickly left the room when he heard the news.
3. They solved the issue well.
4. He wrote the email clearly.
5. She handled the complaint kindly.
6. The team worked hard to meet the deadline.
7. He explained the topic calmly.
8. The lawyer argued the case strongly.
9. She acted strangely at the party.
10. He sang the song beautifully.

Exercise 22: Creative Writing Challenge – Use 10 Given Adverbs

Level: C1 (Advanced)
Instruction: Write a short story (6–8 sentences) using all 10 adverbs of manner from the box below. Highlight or underline each adverb in your story.

Adverbs: gracefully, reluctantly, skillfully, carelessly, fearlessly, deliberately, suspiciously, anxiously, passionately, effortlessly

(Your story can be realistic or imaginative. Just make sure every adverb fits well!)

Exercise 23: Vary the Voice – Passive Sentences with Adverbs

Level: C1 (Advanced)
Instruction: Change each active sentence to passive voice and add a suitable adverb of manner. Make sure the sentence still sounds natural.

1. The chef prepared the meal.
2. The author wrote the novel.
3. The artist painted the portrait.
4. The technician repaired the laptop.
5. The students completed the project.
6. The guard locked the doors.
7. The mechanic fixed the car.
8. The teacher graded the exams.
9. The team organized the event.
10. The speaker delivered the presentation.

Exercise 24: Adverb Overload – Spot and Reduce Redundancy

Level: C1 (Advanced)
Instruction: Read each sentence carefully. Some use too many adverbs or redundant ones. Rewrite the sentence to improve clarity and remove unnecessary adverbs.

1. She quickly and rapidly packed her bag.
2. He silently and quietly opened the door.
3. The baby slept peacefully and calmly.
4. They carefully and cautiously crossed the street.
5. The teacher clearly and obviously explained the rule.
6. He shouted loudly and angrily.
7. She smiled happily and joyfully.
8. They skillfully and expertly completed the task.
9. The dog barked fiercely and furiously.
10. I answered briefly and shortly.

Exercise 25: Debating in Style – Add Tone with Adverbs of Manner

Level: C1 (Advanced)
Instruction: Improve the tone of each sentence by adding an appropriate adverb of manner. Make the sentence fit a formal or persuasive speaking style.

1. I disagree with your opinion.
2. We must address this issue.
3. The data supports our claim.
4. I accept your point.
5. You’ve made a valid argument.
6. Let’s explore that idea further.
7. That’s not entirely true.
8. I’d like to add something.
9. This is a complex matter.
10. We conclude that this is the best solution.

Exercise 26: Speed Round – 10 Quickfire Sentences to Complete

Level: C2 (Proficient)
Instruction: Complete each sentence with an adverb of manner that fits best. Be quick but accurate—aim for variety and precision!

1. She opened the gift ____.
2. The soldier marched ____.
3. He responded to the question ____.
4. The team celebrated their victory ____.
5. The pianist played the final notes ____.
6. She faced the criticism ____.
7. They danced through the night ____.
8. The dog followed its owner ____.
9. The journalist asked the question ____.
10. He walked away from the argument ____.

Exercise 27: What’s Wrong Here? – Spot and Correct 3 Errors per Paragraph

Level: C2 (Proficient)
Instruction: Each paragraph below contains 3 incorrect or awkward adverbs of manner. Identify and correct them for smoother, clearer writing.

Paragraph 1:
She nervously and loudly cooked dinner in the kitchen. The vegetables were chopped slowly and very poorly. Then she beautifully dropped the spoon on the floor.

Paragraph 2:
The manager calmly yelled at the team. He rudely explained the problem gently. The staff listened quietly but angrily obeyed all instructions.

Paragraph 3:
I carelessly and proudly turned in my assignment. The teacher softly marked my paper with bright red ink. I happily and angrily walked out.

Exercise 28: Before and After – Rewrite Using Better Adverbs

Level: C2 (Proficient)
Instruction: Improve each sentence by rewriting it using stronger, more specific adverbs of manner. Avoid overused ones like “nicely” or “well.”

1. He answered the phone nicely.
2. She read the book slowly.
3. They reacted badly to the news.
4. He wrote the letter clearly.
5. The player kicked the ball well.
6. She looked at him strangely.
7. He handled the interview professionally.
8. They danced beautifully.
9. She said goodbye quickly.
10. He walked into the room silently.

Exercise 29: Write a Mini Story Using at Least 8 Adverbs of Manner

Level: C2 (Proficient)
Instruction: Write a short story (8–10 sentences) using at least 8 different adverbs of manner. Make sure each adverb fits the action naturally and improves the tone of your writing. Underline each adverb.

(Topic idea: “The Surprise Visitor” or choose your own!)

Exercise 30: Act It Out – Roleplay Script with Suggested Adverbs

Level: C2 (Proficient)
Instruction: Use the prompts to write a short dialogue (about 8–12 lines) between two people. Include at least 5 suggested adverbs of manner.

Scene: A student visits a professor to ask for help before the final exam.
Suggested Adverbs: respectfully, nervously, clearly, thoughtfully, patiently

(You may modify the adverbs or add more, but keep the tone realistic and academic.)

Conclusion

Mastering adverbs of manner helps students speak and write with greater detail and clarity. The exercises in this post provide a clear path from simple recognition to confident use in everyday language.

By practicing regularly, your learners will improve their accuracy and fluency, making their English sound more natural. These activities are easy to use in any class setting or for self-study.

Keep encouraging your students to listen for adverbs in conversations and try using them in their own speaking and writing. With patience and practice, they’ll soon express themselves with style and confidence.

FAQs about Exercises on Adverbs of Manner

What are adverbs of manner?
Adverbs of manner describe how an action is done. They usually end in -ly and answer the question “How?”

How do I teach adverbs of manner to beginners?
Start with simple verbs and common adverbs like quickly and slowly. Use pictures and actions to show meaning.

Where do adverbs of manner go in a sentence?
They usually come right after the verb or after the object. For example, “She runs quickly.”

Are all adverbs of manner formed by adding -ly?
No. Some adverbs like fast and well do not follow this rule.

How can I help students remember common adverbs?
Create flashcards, use matching games, and practice using adverbs in sentences regularly.

What mistakes do learners often make with adverbs of manner?
Common errors include confusing adjectives with adverbs and placing adverbs in the wrong position.

Can adverbs of manner be used in questions?
Yes. For example: “How does he speak?” “He speaks loudly.”

Are adverbs of manner important for writing?
Absolutely. They add detail and make writing more interesting and clear.

How do I adapt these exercises for different learner levels?
Start with simple matching and fill-in-the-blanks for beginners, then move to sentence rewriting and creative writing for advanced learners.

Can these exercises be used for homework?
Yes. Many exercises are designed for independent practice, making them great for homework or self-study.