Adverbs That Start With I

Updated October 4, 2019
Adverbs That Start With I
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An adverb is a part of speech that provides additional description to a verb, adjective, or another adverb. They're noted for their -ly ending, although they don't have to end in -ly.

Ideally is an adverb, but so is indeed. Interesting, right? Let's roll on to uncover 50 of the most popular adverbs that start with I.

50 Adverbs Starting With I

Beside each I-adverb, you'll find a short definition and a sampling of synonyms:

Adverb

Definition

Synonym

ideally

in conformity with an ideal

perfectly, correctly, impeccably

illegally

in a manner contrary to law

criminally, illicitly, unconstitutionally

immediately

at once

directly, instantaneously, promptly

immensely

to a great extent

vastly, extremely, extravagantly

implicitly

in a way that is not directly expressed

inevitably, essentially, completely

importantly

used to emphasize a significant point

principally, basically, notably

impossibly

contrary to what had been thought possible

incredulously, unbelievably, remarkably

impressively

in a way that evokes admiration

dramatically, excitingly, profoundly

improperly

in a manner not in accordance with accepted standards

poorly, clumsily, inadequately

inadvertently

something done accidentally or unintentionally

accidentally, carelessly, recklessly

inappropriately

in a manner that is not suitable or proper

improperly, wrongly, erroneously

incidentally

used when a person has a new, but related, point

parenthetically, accidentally, subordinately

incorrectly

in a mistaken way

mistakenly, falsely, inaccurately

increasingly

to an increasing extent

progressively, largely, flourishingly

incredibly

to a great degree

amazingly, fabulously, uncommonly

incrementally

in regular increases

accumulatively, additionally, cumulatively

indeed

a word used to emphasize the truth of something

absolutely, actually, honestly

indefinitely

something that is done or will go on for an undetermined period of time

continually, endlessly, regularly

independently

in a way that is free from outside control or influence

alone, freely, separately

indirectly

in a manner that is not directly caused by something

incidentally, accidentally, concomitantly

individually

singularly; separately

independently, personally, singly

indoors

in a house or building

inside

inevitably

in a manner that is impossible to avoid or prevent

unavoidably, undeniably, inescapably

inexplicably

for an unknown reason

oddly, peculiarly, strangely

infinitely

without limit

extremely, unbelievably, boundlessly

informally

in a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial manner

casually, carelessly, lackadaisically

infrequently

not often; rarely

seldomly, intermittently, occasionally

inherently

something that is built-in or part of the makeup of a person or thing

innately, intrinsically, naturally

initially

at the beginning

originally, firstly, principally

insanely

to an extreme degree

hugely, exponentially, greatly

instantly

right now

directly, forthwith, immediately

instinctively

without being taught

inherently, intuitively, naturally

intellectually

in a rational manner

intelligently, brilliantly, shrewdly

intelligently

in a clever manner

cleverly, brilliantly, judiciously

intensely

to an extreme degree

deeply, fiercely, profoundly

intentionally

on purpose

purposely, deliberately, willfully

intently

something done with great focus

concentratedly, attentively, keenly

interchangeably

something that can be used in the same manner as something else

correspondingly, conversely, mutually

interestingly

in a manner that holds attention

fascinatingly, appealingly, strikingly

intermittently

stopping and starting at intervals

occasionally, periodically, sporadically

internally

with reference to the inner surface or structure of something

inside, privately, inwardly

internationally

among many different nations

worldly, globally, universally

intimately

something done with great familiarity

closely, informally, personally

intricately

something extremely detailed

complexly, convolutedly, trickily

intrinsically

something associated with a person or thing's nature or inherent characteristics

basically, centrally, materially

intuitively

done with skill, but without special training

instinctively, naturally, ostensibly

invariably

every time; always

endlessly, perpetually, regularly

inwards

toward the inside

penetratingly, privately

ironically

in a way that is directly opposite to what is expected

humorously, jokingly, amusingly

irrevocably

something that is done in such a way that it cannot be undone

finally, certainly, completely

For even more adverbs from the rest of the alphabet, check out this List of 100 Adverbs!

What Is an Adverb?

Adverbs are helpful when we want to provide a little more information to a sentence. And, although they love to work with verbs, they can also team up with adjectives and other adverbs. A great way to spot adverbs is to look for words that end in -ly. Examples from the above list include "independently" and "intuitively."

We can get a little more specific than simply saying adverbs add intensity or emphasis to other words. Let's take a closer look at what, intrinsically, they aim to do:

  • Adverbs Tell How It Happened: Adverbs like "incredibly" describe how something was done.
  • Adverbs Tell Where It Happened: Adverbs like "inside" describe the location of where something happened.
  • Adverbs Tell When It Happened: Adverbs like "instantly" describe when something took place.
  • Adverbs Tell the Extent of an Action: Adverbs like "intermittently" describe the extent to which something did or did not happen.

For more on how adverbs work to intensify the meaning behind other words, check out these Examples of Adverbs.

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10 Example Sentences

Let's look at 10 of the above I-adverbs hard at work in sentence form:

  1. He illegally parked his motorcycle.
  2. I'm not a mind reader, so you can't speak implicitly about things I don't understand.
  3. She passed the exam, most impossibly.
  4. He inadvertently left the backpack at home.
  5. Denise moved to Pakistan indefinitely.
  6. He inexplicably solved the puzzle.
  7. Intellectually, she understood the conundrum.
  8. Mitchell explained the tall tale interestingly.
  9. I could not intuitively discern his meaning.
  10. She irrevocably turned her back on him.

Intermittent Additions

Adverbs make wonderful - though intermittent - additions to our writing. We should use them, but with caution. If we pair up our verbs with too many -ly words, things will soon become clunky.

Adding adverbs intermittently to our writing, however, will make interesting additions to your writing. And, while you're exploring I-adverbs, why not dabble in some I-adjectives? As your adverbs dress up your nouns, so, too, can your adjectives dress up your nouns.