ADVERBS

LET'S EXPLORE
Adverbs describe verbs and
modify adjectives and other
adverbs.
Adverbs, unlike adjectives, do
not modify nouns.
Adverbs can also modify
phrases, clauses, and
sentences.
 Adverbs answer one of the
following questions: When?
Where? Why? How? Under
what conditions? and To what
extent?
 EXAMPLE
The teacher had to speak loudly
to be heard over the children.
(Loudly modifies the verb speak.)

The children were really bad

during the movie. (Really
modifies the adjective bad.)
 EXAMPLE
John approached the wounded
dog very slowly. (Very modifies
the adverb slowly.)
Clearly, Sarah did not
understand the directions.
(Clearly modifies the sentence.)

The box is still below the stairs.

(Still modifies the phrase “below
the stairs.”)
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF TIME
EXAMPLE
An adverb of time answers the
John will attend the soccer game
question When? Adverbs of time
after he finishes his homework. (After
include: after, always, before, during, answers the question: When will John
early, later, never, now, often, rarely, attend the soccer game?)
recently, sometimes, soon, then, today,
tomorrow, usually, yesterday, etc.
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF MANNER
EXAMPLE
An adverb of manner answers the
question How? Adverbs of Sarah slowly walked over the rocky
beach. (Slowly answers the question:
manner include: badly, beautifully, How did Sarah walk?)
better, bravely, cheerfully, fast,
hard, quickly, slowly, inadequately,
healthy, well, etc.
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF PLACE EXAMPLE
An adverb of place answers Susan placed the boxes above the
file cabinet. (Above answers the
the question Where? Adverbs
question: Where did Susan place the
of place include: above, away, boxes?)

below, down, here, inside,

near, outside, there, up, etc.
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF DEGREE EXAMPLE
An adverb of degree answers the John worked very hard to complete
question How much? It describes the his part of the project. (Very answers
the question: How hard did John
strength and intensity at which
work?)
something happens. Adverbs of degree
include: almost, completely, enough,
entirely, extremely, hardly, just, little,
much, nearly, quite, rather, very, too, etc.

English Class | Laredo York Primary School

 TYPES OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY EXAMPLE
An adverb of frequency answers Bob always forgets to check his
email before class begins. (Before
the question How often? Adverbs
answers the question: How often does
of frequency include: always, Bob forget to check his email?)
never, usually, frequently,
occasionally, rarely, seldom,
sometimes, etc.
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS EXAMPLE
An interrogative adverb When will John’s plane arrive from
introduces a question. Atlanta?

Interrogative adverbs are usually

placed at the beginning of the
sentence. Interrogative adverbs
include: how, when, why, and
where.
 TYPES OF ADVERBS
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS EXAMPLE
Conjunctive adverbs serve as transitional We plan to leave early in the morning;
words, joining and relating independent therefore, we will go to bed early
clauses. Conjunctive adverbs include:
accordingly, also, alternatively, certainly,
consequently, finally, nevertheless, moreover,
previously, therefore, etc. For a list of more
conjunctive adverbs, refer to the Writing
Center’s handout Common Conjunctions.
 Forming Adverbs

Adding –ly to the end Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to
an adjective.

Example: clear/clearly
hard/hardly

classcode: #StartTheYearRight
 Forming Adverbs
Irregular Adverbs

Some adverbs do not use the –ly ending. These adverbs do not
have a particular form.
Following is a list of some of the most common irregular adverbs:
already, also, always, here, never, not, now, often, quite, seldom,
soon, still, then, there, too, very well.
 Adverb Placement

Adverbs are flexible in their placement; therefore, they can be placed just about anywhere
within the sentence

At the beginning of a sentence or a clause

Example: Clearly, John has a problem arriving to work on time.

 Adverb Placement

At the end of a sentence or a clause

Example: Sarah and John attend the opera frequently.

 Adverb Placement

After the verb

Example: Bob and John have always participated in the soccer

tournament.
 Adverb Placement

Between the subject and the verb

Example: Sarah rarely forgets to call home when she is out

late.
Adverb or Adjective
 Look at the Examples

Adverbs Modify Adjectives Modify

verbs nouns
adjectives pronouns
other adjectives

Example: Example:

My sister drives carefully. Mike was tired after the race.

v Adv N Adj
Directions: Determine whether each highlighted word
below is an adjective or an adverb.

1. The woolly mammoth is believed to be the ancestor of the

modern elephant.

2. She jumped up suddenly and left the room

3. This recipe calls for coarsely ground nuts.

Directions: Determine whether each highlighted word
below is an adjective or an adverb.

4. The early bird gets the worm.

5. She speaks so softly that I can hardly hear her

6. She has curly blond hair and blue eyes.

Directions: Determine whether each highlighted word
below is an adjective or an adverb.

7. “Come here, quickly,” she said, “and help me get this

curtain hung.”

8. At the pet shop a cuddly little kitten snuggled up to me, and I

almost bought it.

9.Toothpaste ads on television always feature models with

gleaming, pearly teeth. .
 Directions: Look at the sentences below and decide whether an adverb or
adjective is needed. Circle your choice. Then underline the word it modifies.

1. The house looked (empty, emptily).

2. Jason pitched (wild, wildly).
3. The choir sang (good, well).
4. Those hills look (beautiful, beautifully).
5. The teams were matched (even, evenly).
6. The cheese on this cracker tastes (strange, strangely).
7. You print so (neat, neatly).
8. Ron arrived (prompt, promptly) at ten.
9. I go to the gym (regular, regularly).
10.The snow fell (steady, steadily).
 Directions: In the following sentences underline the adverbs and state their
kind.

11. The girl sang sweetly.

12. What is he doing outside?
13. He practices cricket every day.
14. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
15. The old woman was walking slowly.
16. The kittens are playing there.
17. Children usually rush about.
18. The girls danced gracefully.
19. She has travelled everywhere.
20. He was a very sensible person.
ANSWERS
 Directions: Look at the sentences below and decide whether an adverb or
adjective is needed. Write your choice. Writte also the word it modifies in all
capital letters.

1. The house looked (empty, emptily).

2. Jason pitched (wild, wildly).
3. The choir sang (good, well).
4. Those hills look (beautiful, beautifully).
5. The teams were matched (even, evenly).
6. The cheese on this cracker tastes (strange, strangely).
7. You print so (neat, neatly).
8. Ron arrived (prompt, promptly) at ten.
9. I go to the gym (regular, regularly).
10.The snow fell (steady, steadily).
 Directions: In the following sentences write the adverbs and state their kind.

11. The girl sang sweetly. - MANNER

12. What is he doing outside? INTERROGATIVE ADVERB
13. He practices cricket every day. FREQUENCY
14. I look forward to hearing from you soon. TIME
15. The old woman was walking slowly. MANNER
16. The kittens are playing there. PLACE
17. Children usually rush about. FREQUENCY
18. The girls danced gracefully. MANNER
19. She has travelled everywhere. PLACE
20. He was a very sensible person. DEGREE