Adjectives ending in -ly Some adjectives end in -ly, e.g. lively, lonely, ugly. We don’t form adverbs from these adjectives because they are not easy to pronounce. We usually reword what we want to say instead.
Don’t act in a silly way. Not: Don’t act sillily.
She said it in a friendly way. Not: She said it friendlily.
Adverbs not related to adjectives Some adverbs (e.g. just, quite, so, soon, too, very) are not directly related to adjectives:
This is just what I am looking for. (just = exactly)
These cups are not quite the same. (not quite = not exactly)
Why is this road so narrow? I look forward to seeing you soon. That’s too expensive. That’s a very strange story. Gradable adverbs Most adverbs, like most adjectives, are gradable (they can express different degrees of qualities, properties, states, conditions and relations). We can modify adverbs using other types of adverbs and comparative forms to make longer adverb phrases.
Compare
He plays the piano amazingly. He plays the piano really amazingly.
really is a degree adverb
She played golf skilfully this time. She played golf more skilfully this time.
