ively

Ively is not a standalone word in English; it is the name of a productive suffix used to form adverbs from adjectives ending in -ive. The suffix combines the adjective-forming ending -ive with the adverb suffix -ly, producing words that describe the manner or degree of a quality.

In practice, -ively is attached to adjectives that end with -ive to form adverbs such as actively (from active), creatively (from creative), defensively (from defensive), objectively (from objective), imaginatively (from imaginative), and passively (from passive). The pattern is a standard way English builds adverbs from a specific subset of adjectives.

Usage and nuance: Adverbs formed with -ively tend to convey that the action is performed in a manner characteristic of the corresponding adjective. They can provide precision about how something is done or about the degree to which a quality applies. This contrasts with the more general -ly adverbs that derive from other adjective endings (for example, quickly from quick).

Etymology and orthography: The -ive ending comes from Latin -ivus through English, while -ly is a native English adverbial suffix. The combination -ively is a regular derivational path for turning -ive adjectives into adverbs. In common spelling, the adverb retains the base -ive and adds -ly, yielding the -ively ending in words like creatively, defensively, objectively.

See also: adverb, suffix -ive, suffix -ly.