An adverb + verb collocation is an established combination in which an adverb modifies a verb. Common examples include strongly recommend, deeply regret, firmly believe, and closely monitor.
The adverb can express the strength of an opinion, the depth of a feeling, or how an action is performed. It may appear before or after the verb, depending on the expression and sentence structure.
Common Adverb + Verb Collocations with Examples
The following combinations appear in everyday conversation, personal decisions, professional communication, and formal writing.
Opinions, Beliefs, and Decisions
| Collocation | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| Firmly believe | Despite the early setbacks, the volunteers firmly believed that the community garden could succeed. |
| Strongly recommend | After staying there twice, Rachel strongly recommended the small guesthouse near the harbour. |
| Strongly oppose | Several residents strongly opposed the proposal to remove the public footpath. |
| Categorically deny | The company categorically denied allegations that it had concealed the inspection results. |
| Seriously consider | After receiving the scholarship offer, Grace seriously considered studying abroad. |
| Wholeheartedly agree | Oliver wholeheartedly agreed with his sister’s decision to reopen their grandparents’ bookshop. |
| Strongly suspect | Amelia strongly suspected that the unusual noise was coming from the washing machine. |
| Firmly reject | The publisher firmly rejected the suggestion that the illustrations should be removed from the children’s edition. |
Feelings, Reactions, and Personal Experiences
| Collocation | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| Deeply regret | Years later, James still deeply regretted selling the letters his grandfather had written. |
| Greatly appreciate | The organisers greatly appreciated the help they received after the exhibition hall flooded. |
| Sincerely apologise | The manager sincerely apologised to the guests whose reservations had been lost. |
| Bitterly complain | Passengers bitterly complained about the lack of information during the overnight delay. |
| Secretly hope | Although Priya had accepted another position, she secretly hoped the research institute would make her an offer. |
| Thoroughly enjoy | During their visit to York, the cousins thoroughly enjoyed exploring the independent bookshops. |
| Genuinely admire | Elena genuinely admired her colleague’s patience with the younger apprentices. |
| Apologise profusely | The restaurant owner apologised profusely after a booking mix-up left the family without a table. |
Apologise profusely describes an extensive or emphatic apology. It does not necessarily mean that the apology is sincere, which is what sincerely apologise emphasises.
Actions, Processes, and Results
| Collocation | Example sentence |
|---|---|
| Closely monitor | Engineers closely monitored the bridge’s movement during the load test. |
| Carefully examine | The conservator carefully examined the painting before removing its damaged frame. |
| Strictly enforce | The venue strictly enforced its no-smoking policy throughout the festival. |
| Severely restrict | Heavy snowfall severely restricted access to the mountain villages. |
| Significantly reduce | The new insulation significantly reduced heat loss from the older houses. |
| Explicitly state | The rental agreement explicitly stated that pets were permitted. |
| Strongly suggest | The test results strongly suggested that the water leak had begun several weeks earlier. |
| Completely transform | Replacing the old windows completely transformed the appearance of the cottage. |
How Adverbs Change the Meaning of Verbs
Strongly Recommend, Highly Recommend, and Personally Recommend
Imagine three friends discussing whether to book a particular hotel.
One says:
I strongly recommend staying there.
Another says:
I highly recommend staying there.
Both express emphatic endorsement. In ordinary usage, the difference between strongly and highly here is often small.
A third friend says:
I personally recommend staying there.
This emphasises that the recommendation comes from the speaker’s own judgment or experience. It does not necessarily tell us how strongly the speaker recommends the hotel.
Someone can personally and strongly recommend something because these adverbs can highlight different aspects of the same recommendation.
A more cautious speaker might say:
I tentatively recommend staying there, although I’d check the latest reviews first.
Tentatively makes the recommendation provisional rather than emphatic.
Firmly Deny and Categorically Deny
Consider two statements responding to an allegation.
The director firmly denied that the figures had been changed.
The director categorically denied that the figures had been changed.
Both communicate a forceful denial.
Firmly denied emphasises determination or strength. Categorically denied makes the unqualified rejection particularly clear.
The two expressions overlap considerably. A firm denial may also be absolute, while a categorical denial is ordinarily forceful.
Deeply Regret and Sincerely Regret
Compare:
Daniel deeply regretted missing his daughter’s graduation.
Daniel sincerely regretted the hurt caused by his remarks.
Deeply regret emphasises the intensity of regret, while sincerely regret highlights its genuineness. Both qualities can be present at the same time.
Greatly regret is also an established expression that conveys a substantial degree of regret. It is a natural alternative, not an incorrect form.
Why Some Adverbs Combine More Naturally with Certain Verbs
English has familiar adverb + verb partnerships, such as apologise profusely, strongly recommend, and closely monitor.
Other adverbs can accompany a wide range of verbs. For example, we can carefully pack a suitcase, carefully inspect a document, or carefully cross a slippery path.
All are natural expressions, although they do not have to be learned as equally distinctive collocations.
The Same Adverb Can Work Differently with Different Verbs
Compare:
The residents strongly opposed the development.
The evidence strongly suggested that the equipment had malfunctioned.
In the first sentence, strongly conveys the intensity of opposition.
In the second, it indicates that the evidence provides substantial support for an interpretation. It does not express personal conviction or determination.
Closely Examine or Carefully Examine?
Both expressions are natural, and their meanings overlap.
Closely examine often emphasises detailed scrutiny, while carefully examine can draw attention to the care taken during an examination.
The solicitor closely examined the wording of the disputed clause.
The jeweller carefully examined the fragile clasp before attempting the repair.
Either adverb could work in many similar situations. The difference is usually one of emphasis rather than a strict separation of meaning.
Using Adverb + Verb Collocations in Sentences
An adverb does not always appear immediately before the verb it modifies. Its position depends on the adverb, the verb phrase, and the surrounding sentence.
Before or After the Verb
Compare:
The engineers closely monitored the temperature throughout the experiment.
The engineers monitored the temperature closely throughout the experiment.
Both sentences are natural and have essentially the same meaning.
Many manner adverbs can also appear after a verb or after its object.
The technician examined the damaged cable carefully.
In ordinary English, a manner adverb is not usually placed between a verb and its direct object.
Natural: The technician examined the damaged cable carefully.
Not the usual word order: The technician examined carefully the damaged cable.
Other arrangements are possible, particularly with longer or more complex objects. The preferred position depends on the construction and intended emphasis.
With Auxiliary and Modal Verbs
When a verb phrase contains an auxiliary or modal verb, many adverbs can appear before the main verb.
The committee has strongly recommended replacing the damaged equipment.
The changes could significantly reduce operating costs.
The adverb modifies the main verb even though an auxiliary appears before it.
When the Verb Needs an Object or Clause
Adding an adverb does not change the grammatical elements a verb normally requires.
The lawyer strongly advised her client to keep copies of all correspondence.
Here, strongly modifies advised. The verb still follows the pattern advise someone to do something.
The distinction between established word partnerships and grammatical patterns is explained more broadly in types of collocations in English.
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