Question
Is slow an adjective and slowly an adverb? — Maryam, Iran
Answer
Usually slow is used as an adjective and slowly is used as an adverb, but slow can also be used as an adverb. When an adverb does not have the usual -ly ending it is called a flat adverb or plain adverb and it looks the same as its adjective form.
English teachers will tell you to use slow as an adjective and add -ly when making it an adverb, but in casual speech, informal writing (such as text messages or e-mails to a friend), and even some formal writing slow is often used as an adverb. (Note: Slowly is never used as an adjective.)
Not all flat adverbs have an -ly form (for example, soon is both an adjective and an adverb, and soonly is not a word), but when they do have an -ly form, that is what is preferred by English teachers in formal writing. Below are some example sentences showing how slow and slowly are used.
Slow as an Adjective:
Snails are slow movers.
Learning a new language can be a slow process.
He had a slow horse that never won a race.
They took a slow walk through the park.
Slow and Slowly as Adverbs:
The cars on the road are all moving slow/slowly.
She stood up slow/slowly after falling off her bike.
Her son ate so slow/slowly that it was bedtime when he was finally finished.
The computer was running so slow/slowly that he didn't finish his homework on time.
Notice that in the above sentences, the adverb comes after the verb. Slow and slowly are usually interchangeable when they come after the verb. However, when the adverb comes before the verb, it only sounds natural to use slowly. Below are some example sentences showing this. In each one, slow would never be used.
The snail slowly climbed the wall.
We slowly realized what was happening.
The cashier slowly counted the money.
Slowly, over many years, the boys became friends.
2. TOPIC: PROPER USAGE OF IT & THIS
Difference Between It And This | Grammar, Meaning & Usage | Explained With Important Examples – WABS TALK
November 15, 2018 admin
Teacher: Look at this question.
Student: It is one of the most difficult.I tried to solve but couldn’t.I need your help.
In the above dialogues It & This have been used differently and leaving you with a question when to use this and it because the usage seems to be indistinguishable but these pronouns are different from each other in many ways.
Main Difference – It vs This
It and this are another two words that confuse many English learners. Although both these words can be considered as pronouns, there is a difference in their grammar. The main difference between it and this is that it is a third person singular personal pronoun whereas this is a demonstrative adjective and pronoun. The functions and meaning of these two words also change due to the differences in their grammatical categories. In addition, it is mainly used with animals, and non-living things whereas this can be used to refer to people as well.
This article explains,
It – Grammar, Meaning and Usage
It is the third person singular personal pronoun. It is often used to refer to animals or non-living things. It can be used as a subject and an object.
Example: The dog was taken to the vet since it looked ill.
Example: The waiter brought a tray with two glasses on it.
It is also used as the subject of sentences about time, weather, and distance.
Example: It’s half past nine.
Example: It rained last night.
It is also used as the subject when there is no identifiable doer or actor.
Example: It is important to learn about history.
Example: It is impossible to enter the castle without being seen.
It can also emphasize a part of a sentence.
Example: It is the course which helped me to improve my soft skills.
Example: It is the institute which organise indoor competitions, survey sessions and weekend workshops.
This – Grammar, Meaning and Usage
This is a demonstrative adjective and a pronoun. Since it and this is mostly confused due to their functions as pronouns, we’d specifically look at this as a pronoun in this article.
This is used to identify a specific person or thing close by or being indicated or experienced
Example: This is the Spoken English Institute I told you about.
Example: Is this Public Speaking Session taking place?
This is used to introduce someone or something
Example: This is my mentor Mr.Reuben Singh.
Example: This is the best Institute to learn soft skills.
It vs This – Confusion in Usage
It’s my mother
This is my mother
Most people are confused about the difference between sentences like the above examples. What is the exact difference between them? The main difference between them is that it identifies the person, and this introduces the person.
If you are introducing your mother to your friends, you can say “this is my mother.” But, if you get a call from your mother when you are with your friends, and you want to identify the caller, you’ll say ‘it’s my mother.’
Gender
It is used with non-living things and animals. (neuter gender)
This can be used with female, male and neuter genders.
Identify vs Introduce
It is used to identify a person.
This is used to introduce a person.
Time, weather and distance
It can be used as the subject in statements about time, weather, and distance.
This cannot be used in statements about time, weather, and distance.
Courtesy: Google
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