14 Adverbs
14.1 Formation of adverbs in -mente
Many adverbs are formed from the feminine form of an adjective by adding the ending
-mente. Any written accent on the adjective is retained (see 1.5.4):
If two or more adverbs occur in sequence, -mente is attached only to the last one:
lenta y fácilmente‘slowly and easily’
In the spoken language, and in some set phrases, certain adjectives function as adverbs
in their own right:
Va muy rápido.
It’s going very quickly.
¡Habla más alto!
Speak more loudly!
Trabajamos duro.
We’re working hard.
No estás jugando limpio.
You’re not playing fair.
Me salió fatal.
It turned out dreadfully for me.
¡Tirar fuerte!
Pull hard!
Se venden muy barato.
They’re being sold very cheaply.
Adverbs in -mente are often considered clumsy in Spanish, and alternative ways of
saying the same thing are sought. An adjective pertaining to the subject of the sentence
may convey the adverbial idea:
Adjective Adverb
lenta lentamente‘slowly’
económica económicamente
‘economically’
fácil fácilmente‘easily’
