Blog about English
Commonly confused adverbs and differences in meaning.
Some English adverbs look similar but have different meanings or grammatical functions.
Learning these distinctions helps avoid common learner errors.
He works hard every day.
Он усердно работает каждый день.
"Hard" describes the great effort used in the action.
He works hard every day.
Он усердно работает каждый день.
"Hard" describes the intensity of his work.
He hardly works on weekends.
Он почти не работает по выходным.
"Hardly" means almost not at all and has a negative meaning.
I could hardly hear her.
Я едва мог ее слышать.
"Hardly" means "almost not" and has a negative meaning.
We arrived late.
Мы приехали поздно.
"Late" refers to a time that is after the expected or usual time.
We arrived late.
Мы приехали поздно.
"Late" refers to a time that is later than expected.
I have not seen her lately.
Я недавно ее не видел.
"Lately" means recently and refers to a period close to the present.
I have not seen him lately.
Я не видел его в последнее время.
"Lately" means "recently" and refers to a recent period.
The plane flew high above the clouds.
Самолет летел высоко над облаками.
"High" describes physical height.
The station is near.
Станция находится близко.
"Near" expresses physical proximity.
She is highly respected by her colleagues.
Ее очень уважают коллеги.
"Highly" expresses a high degree of respect and does not describe physical height.
We nearly missed the train.
Мы чуть не опоздали на поезд.
"Nearly" means "almost".
The station is near the hotel.
Станция находится рядом с отелем.
"Near" expresses physical proximity.
The plane flew high above the clouds.
Самолет летел высоко над облаками.
"High" describes physical height.
We nearly missed the train.
Мы чуть не опоздали на поезд.
"Nearly" means almost and describes an event that came close to happening.
She is highly respected.
Ее очень уважают.
"Highly" means "to a great degree" and does not refer to physical height.
Hard means "with great effort or intensity", while hardly means "almost not".
These words are unrelated in meaning despite their similar form.
She works hard for her exams.
Она усердно готовится к экзаменам.
"Hard" means with a lot of effort.
She works hard every day.
Она усердно работает каждый день.
"Hard" means "with great effort".
I worked hard all weekend.
Я усердно работал все выходные.
"Hard" describes the intensity or effort of the work.
They studied hard for the exam.
Они усердно готовились к экзамену.
"Hard" describes a high level of effort.
She could hardly walk after the race.
После забега она едва могла ходить.
"Hardly" means almost not and indicates a very low degree.
I could hardly hear the speaker.
Я едва мог слышать выступающего.
"Hardly" means "almost not".
He hardly ever watches television.
Он почти никогда не смотрит телевизор.
"Hardly ever" means very rarely and has a negative or near-negative meaning.
She hardly ever complains.
Она почти никогда не жалуется.
"Hardly ever" means "almost never".
They are working hard to finish on time.
Они усердно работают, чтобы закончить вовремя.
"Hard" modifies "working" and describes the effort involved.
He worked hard all afternoon.
Он усердно работал весь день.
"Hard" describes the intensity of the work.
I could hardly hear what she was saying.
Я едва мог слышать, что она говорила.
"Hardly" means almost not at all.
There was hardly any food left.
Еды почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" means "almost no".
He studied hard before the test.
Он усердно учился перед тестом.
"Hard" describes the amount of effort put into studying.
She could hardly walk after the race.
После забега она едва могла ходить.
"Hardly" indicates that the action was almost impossible.
There was hardly any food left.
Еды почти не осталось.
"Hardly any" means almost no amount.
They hardly noticed the change.
Они едва заметили изменение.
"Hardly" means that they almost did not notice it.
Late refers to time or lateness, while lately means "recently".
The two words are not interchangeable.
The bus arrived late.
Автобус приехал поздно.
"Late" refers to a time after the expected time.
We arrived late.
Мы приехали поздно.
"Late" refers to a time that is later than expected.
I went to bed late last night.
Вчера я лег спать поздно.
"Late" describes a time that is later than usual.
The train was late.
Поезд опоздал.
"Late" describes something that did not happen at the expected time.
Have you seen Tom lately?
Ты недавно видел Тома?
"Lately" means recently and refers to a period continuing up to the present.
I have been working late recently.
В последнее время я работал допоздна.
"Late" describes the time at which the person works.
She has been very busy lately.
В последнее время она очень занята.
"Lately" means in recent times.
Have you seen John lately?
Ты видел Джона в последнее время?
"Lately" means "recently".
We arrived late for the meeting.
Мы опоздали на встречу.
"Late" indicates that the arrival happened after the expected time.
She has been very busy lately.
В последнее время она очень занята.
"Lately" refers to a period extending up to the present.
He has not slept well lately.
В последнее время он плохо спит.
"Lately" refers to the recent period rather than to a specific late time.
He stayed up late last night.
Он не спал допоздна прошлой ночью.
"Late" refers to a late time of day or night.
They left late in the evening.
Они ушли поздно вечером.
"Late" refers to the time of day when they left.
I have not slept well lately.
В последнее время я плохо сплю.
"Lately" means "in recent times".
I have been feeling tired lately.
В последнее время я чувствую усталость.
"Lately" means recently and commonly occurs with the present perfect or present perfect continuous.
The children came home late.
Дети пришли домой поздно.
"Late" describes when the children came home.
Near expresses proximity, while nearly means "almost".
Compare The station is near with We nearly missed the train.
The hotel is near the station.
Отель находится рядом со станцией.
"Near" expresses physical proximity.
The station is near.
Станция находится близко.
"Near" expresses physical proximity.
Come near me.
Подойди ко мне поближе.
"Near" describes a short physical distance.
She lives near the university.
Она живет рядом с университетом.
"Near" indicates a short physical distance.
We nearly missed the bus.
Мы чуть не опоздали на автобус.
"Nearly" means almost and indicates that an event almost happened.
We nearly missed the bus.
Мы чуть не опоздали на автобус.
"Nearly" means "almost".
It is nearly midnight.
Почти полночь.
"Nearly" indicates that the current time is close to midnight.
It is nearly midnight.
Уже почти полночь.
"Nearly" indicates that something is close to a particular point in time.
There is a small shop near our house.
Рядом с нашим домом есть небольшой магазин.
"Near" modifies the location and expresses proximity.
Come near me.
Подойди ко мне поближе.
"Near" describes physical distance.
She nearly fell asleep in class.
Она чуть не заснула на уроке.
"Nearly" means almost but indicates that she did not actually fall asleep.
The work is nearly finished.
Работа почти закончена.
"Nearly" means that the work is close to completion.
The children are playing near the river.
Дети играют возле реки.
"Near" describes the children's physical location.
There is a pharmacy near here.
Здесь рядом есть аптека.
"Near" indicates location or proximity.
The bottle is nearly empty.
Бутылка почти пустая.
"Nearly" means almost completely.
She nearly fell down the stairs.
Она чуть не упала с лестницы.
"Nearly" indicates that something almost happened.
High describes physical height or level, while highly usually means "very" or "to a great degree".
Compare The plane flew high with She is highly respected.
The bird flew high above the trees.
Птица высоко летела над деревьями.
"High" describes physical height.
The plane flew high above the city.
Самолет летел высоко над городом.
"High" refers to physical height.
The plane was flying very high.
Самолет летел очень высоко.
"High" refers to physical altitude.
The birds were flying high.
Птицы летели высоко.
"High" describes the physical level at which the birds were flying.
She is highly respected in her field.
Ее очень уважают в ее области.
"Highly" means to a great degree and does not refer to physical height.
She is highly respected by her colleagues.
Ее очень уважают коллеги.
"Highly" means "to a great degree".
This book is highly recommended.
Эту книгу очень рекомендуют.
"Highly" intensifies the adjective or participle "recommended".
The book is highly recommended.
Эта книга настоятельно рекомендуется.
"Highly" intensifies the recommendation rather than describing physical height.
The children jumped high into the air.
Дети высоко подпрыгнули в воздух.
"High" describes the physical height reached by the children.
The plane climbed high into the sky.
Самолет поднялся высоко в небо.
"High" describes physical elevation.
He is a highly successful businessman.
Он очень успешный бизнесмен.
"Highly" means very or to a great degree.
He is highly successful in his field.
Он очень успешен в своей области.
"Highly" means "very" or "to a great degree".
The plane flew high over the mountains.
Самолет летел высоко над горами.
"High" expresses physical altitude.
The kite flew high above the trees.
Воздушный змей летел высоко над деревьями.
"High" refers to physical position.
The results are highly significant.
Результаты имеют большое значение.
"Highly" intensifies "significant" and is common in formal English.
She speaks highly of her former teacher.
Она очень хорошо отзывается о своем бывшем учителе.
"Highly" in "speak highly of" means "with great praise".
Deep usually refers to physical depth, while deeply often expresses emotional or figurative intensity.
Compare dig deep with deeply concerned.
The divers went deep into the water.
Ныряльщики погрузились глубоко под воду.
"Deep" describes physical depth.
The river is very deep here.
Здесь река очень глубокая.
"Deep" describes physical depth.
Dig deep into the soil.
Копай глубоко в почву.
"Deep" refers to physical depth.
They dug deep into the ground.
Они глубоко копали землю.
"Deep" describes physical distance below the surface.
She was deeply concerned about her son.
Она была глубоко обеспокоена своим сыном.
"Deeply" expresses strong emotional intensity rather than physical depth.
She was deeply concerned about her son.
Она была глубоко обеспокоена своим сыном.
"Deeply" expresses strong emotional intensity.
He was deeply moved by the speech.
Его глубоко тронула речь.
"Deeply" expresses a strong emotional effect.
I deeply regret my decision.
Я глубоко сожалею о своем решении.
"Deeply" intensifies the emotional meaning of "regret".
The roots grow deep into the ground.
Корни глубоко уходят в землю.
"Deep" describes physical depth.
The lake is deep enough for swimming.
Озеро достаточно глубокое для плавания.
"Deep" refers to the physical depth of the lake.
I deeply regret my decision.
Я глубоко сожалею о своем решении.
"Deeply" intensifies the emotional meaning of "regret".
He was deeply disappointed by the result.
Он был глубоко разочарован результатом.
"Deeply" indicates a strong emotional reaction.
The fish swim deep below the surface.
Рыбы плавают глубоко под поверхностью.
"Deep" describes physical position below the surface.
The roots grow deep into the soil.
Корни глубоко уходят в почву.
"Deep" describes physical penetration into the soil.
She is deeply interested in history.
Она глубоко интересуется историей.
"Deeply" expresses a strong degree of interest.
She is deeply committed to the project.
Она глубоко предана этому проекту.
"Deeply" expresses a strong figurative degree of commitment.
Wide describes physical width or openness, while widely means "to a great extent" or "by many people".
Compare open wide with widely accepted.
Open the door wide.
Открой дверь широко.
"Wide" describes the extent to which the door is opened.
Open the door wide.
Открой дверь широко.
"Wide" describes the degree to which the door is open.
She opened her eyes wide.
Она широко открыла глаза.
"Wide" describes the physical opening of her eyes.
The river is very wide here.
Здесь река очень широкая.
"Wide" describes physical width.
The idea is widely accepted.
Эта идея широко признана.
"Widely" means by many people or to a great extent.
The theory is widely accepted.
Эта теория широко принята.
"Widely" means "by many people" or "to a great extent".
This method is widely used in medicine.
Этот метод широко используется в медицине.
"Widely" means by many people or organizations and indicates broad use.
The news was widely reported.
Об этой новости широко сообщалось.
"Widely" indicates that something happened in many places or by many sources.
The window was wide open.
Окно было широко открыто.
"Wide" describes the physical degree of opening.
The door was wide open.
Дверь была широко открыта.
"Wide" describes the physical extent to which the door was open.
His work is widely known.
Его работа широко известна.
"Widely" means known by many people.
The method is widely used in medicine.
Этот метод широко используется в медицине.
"Widely" indicates widespread use.
She smiled wide.
Она широко улыбнулась.
"Wide" can describe the extent of a physical facial expression.
She opened her eyes wide.
Она широко открыла глаза.
"Wide" describes the physical extent of the opening.
The report was widely discussed in the media.
Отчет широко обсуждался в СМИ.
"Widely" expresses the broad extent of the discussion.
The book is widely available online.
Книга широко доступна в интернете.
"Widely" indicates availability in many places or through many sources.
Close refers to distance, while closely usually means carefully, attentively or in detail.
Compare stand close to the door with watch someone closely.
Please stand close to me.
Пожалуйста, встань рядом со мной.
"Close" refers to physical distance.
Stand close to me.
Встань близко ко мне.
"Close" describes physical distance.
The two houses are very close.
Эти два дома находятся очень близко.
"Close" describes a short physical distance.
The two houses are close together.
Два дома находятся близко друг к другу.
"Close" indicates a short physical distance.
Watch the children closely.
Внимательно следи за детьми.
"Closely" means carefully or attentively.
Watch the children closely.
Внимательно следи за детьми.
"Closely" means "carefully" or "attentively".
The researchers examined the data closely.
Исследователи внимательно изучили данные.
"Closely" means in detail or with careful attention.
The researchers examined the results closely.
Исследователи внимательно изучили результаты.
"Closely" indicates careful or detailed examination.
Come close so I can hear you.
Подойди ближе, чтобы я мог тебя услышать.
"Close" describes physical proximity.
Come close to the fire.
Подойди ближе к огню.
"Close" describes physical proximity.
The team worked closely together.
Команда тесно работала вместе.
"Closely" describes a close and coordinated manner of working.
The two teams are closely connected.
Две команды тесно связаны.
"Closely" expresses a strong or detailed connection.
The shop is close to the station.
Магазин находится рядом со станцией.
"Close" expresses physical proximity.
He stood close behind me.
Он стоял близко позади меня.
"Close" refers to physical distance.
She listened closely to the instructions.
Она внимательно слушала инструкции.
"Closely" means attentively and carefully.
The situation is closely monitored.
За ситуацией внимательно следят.
"Closely" means "carefully" or "with close attention".
Short describes length or duration, while shortly usually means soon or after a short time.
Compare cut it short with The meeting will begin shortly.
Keep the meeting short.
Не затягивай встречу.
"Short" describes limited duration.
Keep the speech short.
Сделай речь короткой.
"Short" describes the duration or length of the speech.
We had a short conversation.
У нас был короткий разговор.
"Short" describes limited length or duration.
The meeting was short.
Встреча была короткой.
"Short" describes the duration of the meeting.
The meeting will begin shortly.
Встреча скоро начнется.
"Shortly" means soon or after a short time.
The meeting will begin shortly.
Встреча скоро начнется.
"Shortly" means "soon" or "after a short time".
I will be with you shortly.
Я скоро буду с вами.
"Shortly" means in a short time.
He will return shortly.
Он скоро вернется.
"Shortly" refers to a short period before the event occurs.
The speech was surprisingly short.
Речь была удивительно короткой.
"Short" describes the limited duration of the speech.
She cut the explanation short.
Она резко прервала объяснение.
"Short" describes the reduction in duration.
The results will be available shortly.
Результаты будут доступны в ближайшее время.
"Shortly" refers to a time shortly after the present.
The results will be available shortly.
Результаты скоро будут доступны.
"Shortly" means "soon".
The manager cut the discussion short.
Менеджер резко прекратил обсуждение.
"Short" in "cut something short" means before the expected or desired end.
The conversation was surprisingly short.
Разговор оказался удивительно коротким.
"Short" describes the duration of the conversation.
The doctor will see you shortly.
Врач скоро вас примет.
"Shortly" means soon and refers to the near future.
The doctor will see you shortly.
Врач скоро вас примет.
"Shortly" means that the event will happen soon.
Several adverb pairs have distinct meanings despite sharing the same root.
Examples include direct/directly, free/freely, fair/fairly, right/rightly, wrong/wrongly, clear/clearly, just/justly, most/mostly and pretty/prettily.
We flew direct to Paris.
Мы полетели прямо в Париж без пересадок.
"Direct" means without stopping or changing direction and is common in travel expressions.
We flew direct to Paris.
Мы полетели прямо в Париж.
"Direct" can mean without stopping or changing direction.
The letter was sent directly to the manager.
Письмо было отправлено непосредственно менеджеру.
"Directly" means in a direct manner or without an intermediary.
She spoke directly to the manager.
Она поговорила непосредственно с менеджером.
"Directly" can emphasize an immediate or straightforward relationship.
The children were allowed to play freely.
Детям разрешили свободно играть.
"Freely" means without restriction.
The children were allowed to play freely.
Детям разрешили свободно играть.
"Freely" means without restriction or control.
You can enter free.
Ты можешь войти бесплатно.
"Free" can mean without payment in informal or established expressions.
That seems fair enough.
Это кажется вполне справедливым.
"Fair" means reasonable or just in this expression.
The system is fairly reliable.
Система довольно надежная.
"Fairly" means to a moderate degree.
He was fairly certain about the result.
Он был довольно уверен в результате.
"Fairly" means "quite" or "rather" and reduces the strength of "certain".
The judge acted fairly.
Судья действовал справедливо.
"Fairly" here means in a just or impartial manner.
You guessed rightly.
Ты правильно догадался.
"Rightly" means "correctly" or "justifiably" in this context.
You were right to complain.
Ты правильно сделал, что пожаловался.
"Right" means correctly or appropriately in this context.
The system was wrongly configured.
Система была неправильно настроена.
"Wrongly" means "incorrectly".
The decision was rightly criticized.
Это решение справедливо подвергли критике.
"Rightly" means with good reason or justification.
The problem was clearly explained.
Проблема была ясно объяснена.
"Clearly" means in a way that is easy to understand.
I know him quite well.
Я довольно хорошо его знаю.
"Well" describes the degree or quality of knowing.
The machine works well.
Машина хорошо работает.
"Well" is the standard adverb corresponding to the adjective "good".
Mostly, the audience agreed with her.
В основном аудитория была с ней согласна.
"Mostly" means mainly or for the most part.
It was pretty difficult.
Это было довольно сложно.
"Pretty" means fairly or quite in informal English.
Many flat adverbs and -ly adverbs differ in meaning rather than simply in style.
Learners should understand each pair as separate lexical items and learn their common collocations instead of assuming that adding -ly only changes the part of speech.
He works hard.
Он усердно работает.
"Hard" is a flat adverb that describes the effort involved in the action.
He works hard every day.
Он усердно работает каждый день.
"Hard" is a flat adverb meaning "with great effort".
He hardly works at all.
Он почти совсем не работает.
"Hardly" is a separate lexical item meaning almost not.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
Я едва мог поверить своим глазам.
"Hardly" is a separate lexical item meaning "almost not".
The company is highly profitable.
Компания очень прибыльная.
"Highly" is used with evaluative adjectives such as "profitable" to express a high degree.
She arrived late.
Она приехала поздно.
"Late" refers to time and does not mean "recently".
The plane flew high above the city.
Самолет летел высоко над городом.
"High" describes physical altitude and is not simply the non-"ly" version of "highly".
She has been working hard lately.
В последнее время она усердно работает.
"Hard" describes the manner of working, while "lately" refers to recent time.
The researchers examined the evidence closely.
Исследователи внимательно изучили доказательства.
"Closely" means carefully or in detail and has a different meaning from "close".
The method is widely used.
Этот метод широко используется.
"Widely" means "by many people" or "to a great extent".
The laboratory is close to the university.
Лаборатория находится рядом с университетом.
"Close" describes physical proximity rather than the manner of examining something.
She looked closely at the evidence.
Она внимательно изучила доказательства.
"Closely" expresses careful attention rather than physical proximity.
The rule is widely accepted.
Это правило широко признано.
"Widely" expresses broad acceptance by many people.
He spoke highly of the research.
Он очень высоко отзывался об исследовании.
"Highly" means with strong praise, not at a great physical height.
Open the window wide.
Открой окно широко.
"Wide" describes the physical degree of opening.
The researchers were deeply concerned about the findings.
Исследователи были глубоко обеспокоены результатами.
"Deeply" expresses figurative or emotional intensity.
Choose the correct adverb according to its meaning rather than its form.
Common mistakes include confusing hard and hardly, late and lately, near and nearly, high and highly, deep and deeply, wide and widely, close and closely, short and shortly, and assuming that every -ly adverb has the same meaning as its flat adverb counterpart.
She works hard every day.
Она усердно работает каждый день.
Use "hard" for effort; "hardly" would mean almost not at all.
He works hard every day.
Он усердно работает каждый день.
Use "hard" for effort; "hardly" means "almost not".
She hardly works these days.
В последнее время она почти не работает.
Use "hardly" to mean almost not; it is not the adverbial form of "hard".
I have not seen her lately.
Я не видел ее в последнее время.
Use "lately" for "recently"; "late" refers to time.
Have you seen him lately?
Ты недавно его видел?
Use "lately" for recently, not "late".
We nearly missed the train.
Мы чуть не опоздали на поезд.
Use "nearly" for "almost"; "near" refers to proximity.
The train arrived late.
Поезд прибыл поздно.
Use "late" when talking about a time that is after the expected time.
She is highly respected.
Ее очень уважают.
Use "highly" for a high degree of respect; "high" normally refers to physical height or level.
We nearly missed the flight.
Мы чуть не опоздали на рейс.
Use "nearly" for almost; "near" refers to physical or figurative proximity.
He was deeply disappointed.
Он был глубоко разочарован.
Use "deeply" for strong emotional intensity; "deep" usually describes physical depth.
The airport is near the city.
Аэропорт находится недалеко от города.
Use "near" to describe proximity.
The theory is widely accepted.
Эта теория широко принята.
Use "widely" for something accepted or known by many people; "wide" describes physical width or openness.
The plane flew high above the clouds.
Самолет летел высоко над облаками.
Use "high" for physical height; "highly" normally expresses degree rather than altitude.
Watch the children closely.
Внимательно следи за детьми.
Use "closely" for careful attention; "close" normally refers to physical distance.
She is highly respected.
Ее очень уважают.
Use "highly" to express a high degree, not physical height.
The meeting will begin shortly.
Встреча скоро начнется.
Use "shortly" to mean "soon"; "short" describes length or duration.
The roots grow deep into the soil.
Корни глубоко уходят в почву.
Use "deep" for physical depth.
She is deeply concerned about the problem.
Она глубоко обеспокоена этой проблемой.
Use "deeply" for strong emotional or figurative intensity.
The door was wide open.
Дверь была широко открыта.
Use "wide" to describe the physical degree of opening.
The method is widely used.
Этот метод широко используется.
Use "widely" to express broad use or acceptance by many people.
Stand close to me.
Встань рядом со мной.
Use "close" for physical distance.
Listen closely to the instructions.
Внимательно слушай инструкции.
Use "closely" for careful or attentive actions.
The meeting will begin shortly.
Встреча скоро начнется.
Use "shortly" to mean soon; "short" refers to limited length or duration.
We had a short meeting.
У нас была короткая встреча.
Use "short" to describe limited duration.