Adverb can behave in a different manner. Softly is an adverb that creates strata of marvellous utilisation of the innovative writing. Let us discuss whether softly is an adverb or not.
Softly is used to modify a verb, an adjective and another adverb in the sentences and it is expressing the movement of the subject. Therefore “Softly is an adverb and it gives an exposure of the noun or pronoun.
Let us discuss some important facts about it.
Why is softly an adverb?
Let us find out why softly is used as an adverb in the sentences.
According to English Grammar an adverb is a word that modifies a verb , an adjective and another adverb in the sentences. As softly satisfies all the criteria of an adverb then it is doubtless that softly is an adverb.
“Softly” is an adverb that modifies a verb, an adjective and another adverb in the sentences that denotes how the action is in progressing.
How is softly an adverb?
Here we will explore how Softly acts as an adverb in the sentence.
| Examples | Explanations |
| The players behave softly with other players in any tournament. | In this sentence “Softly” is used as an adverb that is modifying the verb “Behave” that is expressing the manner of the players. |
| My brother speaks softly to his fellow friends. | Here “Softly” is used to indicate the modification of the verb “speaks”. |
From the above sentence we understood that an adverb is used to modify a verb and it indicates the manner of the subject. Whether the subject is noun or pronoun it does not matter.
When is softly an adverb?
Here we will understand when “Softly” is used as an adverb.
An adverb acts-
1.To modify an adjective in the sentence.
| Example | Explanation |
| The bird is singing in a softly beautiful tone. | In the above sentence ” Softly” is used to modify the adjective ” Beautiful”. |
2. To modify a verb in the sentence.
| Example | Explanation |
| Radhika is continuing her home task softly. | Here the adverb “Softly” is used to qualify the verb “Continuing”. |
3. To modify another adverb.
| Example | Explanation |
| Ratan will be coming from Delhi with softly clearly attitude. | From this sentence it is cleared that the word ” Softly” is placed before another adverb ” Clearly”. |
As the word Softly is following such characteristics of an adverb, then we can say Softly is an adverb.
What type of adverb is ‘Softly’?
Let us take a look what type of adverb “Softly” is and how to form such adverb.
In English Grammar , an adverb that describe how and in what way an action is performed in the sentences. Softly is an example of adverb of manner that indicates the feelings of human mind that shows in what way the action is carried on or how the action is carried forward.
Adverb of manner-
Rules Adjective + ly = Adverb
| Adjectives | +—ly Suffix | Examples |
| Soft | —ly | Softly |
| Slow | —ly | Slowly |
| Nice | —ly | Nicely |
| Brave | —ly | Bravely |
| Courageous | —ly | Courageously |
From these examples it is clear that the word “Softly” is an adverb of manner.
Examples of softly as an adverb
Here we will see 5 Examples of Softly is used as an adverb in the sentences are given below.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. The girl can speak softly. | Explanation- In the sentence the adverb “Softly” is used to modify the verb “Speake” that is showing the manner of the girl. |
| 2. Teacher kept the duster softly. | Explanation- The sentence ” The teacher kept the duster softly” uses the adverb “Softly” to modify the verb “Kept”. |
| 3. The player softly passed the ball to other. | Explanation- The above sentence ” The player softly passed the ball to other” uses the adverb “Softly” that modifies the verb “Passed”. |
| 4. The gardener plucked the roses softly. | Explanation- Here the adverb ” Softly” is used to modify the verb “Plucked”. |
| 5. The gardener softly, silently entered into the garden. | Explanation- Here the word “Softly” is as an adverb that modifies the verb “Softly” to express a manner of adverb. |
Can softly be an adjective?
In this paragraph we will know Softly can be used as an adjective in the sentences.
An adjective always is used to place before a noun or a group of nouns to describe about the subject. Softly can be used as adjective in a sentence. Yes, Softly sometimes is used as an adjective in the sentences to describe something about the noun or pronoun.
How can Softly be an Adjective?
We know that an adjective can describe the position, quality, quantity of a noun or a group of nouns in the sentences. As ” Softly” sometimes is used as an adjective to inform in details about the noun or pronoun. Now we can look a few examples with their detailed explanations below.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. The girl doesn’t like my softly -softly attitude. | Explanation- We know the ‘Softly’ means ‘mildly’, tenderly, or genteelly etc. When we want to indicate a particular or we want to specify a noun at this situation we use adjective. Softly acts as an adjective in few cases to qualify the following nouns in the sentences and works as a predicative adjective in the sentences. |
| 2. The girl’s mind is a softly spoken. | Explanation- In this sentence softly is used an adjective that describes the girl’s attitude. From this example we know that the person is either soft or she is not. |
| 3. The policeman used to softly -softly approach with the strange man. | Explanation- The sentence “The policeman used to softly -softly approach with the strange man” uses an adjective as “Softly” that modify the noun “Approach” herein. |
When can Softly be an Adjective?
Let us discuss in details with examples.
An adjective is a describing word that adds more about the subject in the sentence. When Softly is an essential and noun’s appositive of the subject then we may use Softly as an adjective in the sentences.
| Examples | Explanations |
| 1. Rani is speaking in softly hearted manner. | In this sentence we see the word “Softly” is working as an adjective and it is describing about the subject “Rani”. |
| 2. Roni was canvasing his softly -softly style in the public. | Here the word “Softly” is used as an adjective that is qualifying the noun “Style. |
| 3. Soniya is displaying her softly controlled expression to the audience. | It is the adjective “Softly” that is qualifying the word “Controlled expression”. |
Conclusion-
“Softly” is used mainly used as an adverb in the sentences to modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb in the sentences.
Read more about Is Early An Adverb?
Hi! I am Bhabesh Sing. I have completed M.A in English, M.A in Vocal Music, and B.Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a Subject Matter Expert in English on this Platform.
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