What does attentively mean?
Word: Attentively
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Attentively means in a way that shows you are listening, watching or thinking carefully.
Synonyms: carefully, intently
Antonyms: carelessly
How do you spell attentively?
Syllables: at - ten - tive - ly
Tricky part: It starts with att, a double t, just like attend and attention; many students write atentively.
Watch out for: atentively, attentivly, atentivly
Memory tip: Pay attention to the start: attentively, attend and attention all open with att.
Attentively in a sentence
Example 1: Priya read the instructions attentively before starting the experiment.
Example 2: The puppy watched attentively as I opened the biscuit tin.
Example 3: Nurses check attentively on every patient during the night.
Fun Fact
Attentive comes from attend, which goes back to a Latin word meaning to stretch towards, as if you were leaning your mind towards someone who is speaking.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word attentively as used in the sentence:
The students listened attentively while the scientist explained how the rover would land on the Moon.
a) keenly
b) absent-mindedly
c) quietly
d) patiently
Show answer
b) absent-mindedly. Listening absent-mindedly means your thoughts are elsewhere, the reverse of listening with full care.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
atten_i_ely
a) d, v
b) t, f
c) t, v
d) s, v
Show answer
c) t, v. Attentive grows out of attention, so the t stays, and a v comes before the final e.
Word Makeup
Only one of these words becomes an adverb when ly is added with no other change. Choose it.
ly
a) true
b) attentive
c) happy
d) gentle
Show answer
b) attentive. Attentive simply adds ly, but gentle becomes gently, happy becomes happily and true becomes truly.
Spell-o-Spell
Find the correctly spelt word in the list and choose its meaning.
1. attentively 2. patiantly 3. sincerly 4. respectfuly
a) in an honest way that you really mean
b) without getting cross while you wait
c) with careful attention
d) in a polite way that shows respect
Show answer
c) with careful attention. Respectfully needs a double l, sincerely keeps its e and patiently has an e after the i.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which pupil is behaving attentively in class?
a) Anu, who notes down each step on the board
b) Sara, who keeps glancing out of the window
c) Ravi, who doodles in the margin of his book
d) Dev, who whispers to the boy behind him
Show answer
a) Anu, who notes down each step on the board
2. A host who looks after guests attentively is one who ____.
a) talks mostly about his own day
b) makes sure they have all they need
c) leaves them to look after themselves
d) serves them only when asked twice
Show answer
b) makes sure they have all they need
