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Suffixes 20 words

ly suffix

Rule Core

The suffix -ly is primarily used to form adverbs from adjectives, expressing manner or degree. In most cases, it is added directly, as in slow → slowly. Phonetically, -ly adds a weak, unstressed /li/ sound without shifting the original word stress.

Pronunciation Guide

Produce /l/ with the tongue tip touching the alveolar ridge, then glide quickly to a short /i/. Keep the airflow smooth and light; overemphasis sounds unnatural.

Word Analysis

In angrily, the base angry changes y to i before adding -ly, while stress remains on the first syllable. Costly and cowardly look similar but function as adjectives, not adverbs.

Pitfall Alert

Do not assume all -ly words are adverbs, and avoid attaching -ly to every adjective indiscriminately.

Phonics Breakdown

Touch the alveolar ridge with the tongue tip for /l/, then glide quickly to a short /i/.

Sound Reference

  • Check part of speech before adding -ly
  • Memorize adjectival -ly words as fixed forms

Common Mistakes

Using costly as an adverb
Failing to change y to i before -ly

Example Words

angrily costly cowardly exceedingly excitedly fairly freely hourly idly incredibly

All Words (20)

angrily costly cowardly exceedingly excitedly fairly freely hourly idly incredibly merely necessarily primarily quarterly recently scholarly timely tragically violently weekly