Classic Errors and Helpful Hints

The normal way to form an adverb is to add -ly, as in stupidly, publicly, or humorously. However, there are exceptions:

• If the word ends in -ll, add -y (e.g. fully).

• For words of more than one syllable that end in -y, remove the -y and add -ily (e.g. happily).

• Most single-syllable words ending in -y are regular, except for daily and gaily.