Meaning & use
adverb easy
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Meanings
phrasecountableinformal
An adverb that is simple to understand or explain, often used in grammar lessons for beginners.
Grammar: Not a fixed grammatical label; it is a descriptive phrase. The usual order is 'easy adverb' when it comes before a noun.
Patterns
- an easy adverb
- easy adverbs for beginners
Words like 'quickly' and 'slowly' are easy adverbs for learners.
The teacher gave us a list of easy adverbs to practice with.
This exercise uses easy adverbs so that everyone can follow.
phrase
The adverb form of the adjective 'easy', which is 'easily', used to say something happens without difficulty.
Grammar: The correct adverb is 'easily', not 'easy'. 'Easy' is an adjective and also an informal adverb in some fixed phrases like 'take it easy'.
Patterns
- do something easily
- easily + verb
She passed the test easily.
He easily lifted the box.
The adverb form of 'easy' is 'easily', as in 'They won easily'.
Common combinations
- easy adverb
- An easy adverb like 'fast' can be used in many sentences.
- adverb form of easy
- The adverb form of 'easy' is 'easily'.
- take it easy
- Take it easy — there's no rush.
Synonyms and how they differ
- simple adverb
- A more formal way to say an adverb is not complicated; 'easy adverb' is more casual and common in learner materials.
Word family
Commonly confused: adverb easy or easily?
adverb easy vs easily
Learners often use 'easy' as an adverb, but the standard adverb is 'easily'. Use 'easy' as an adjective: 'an easy test'; use 'easily' to describe how something is done: 'She passed easily'.
Practice
Which sentence uses the correct adverb form?
Choose one answer.
'Easily' is the adverb that describes how he solved the problem. 'Easy' is an adjective, 'ease' is a noun or verb, and 'easiness' is a noun, so none of them fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “adverb easy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.