grammatical categories

1.3. adverbs

• ADVERBS

Adverbs are words that modify (describe or limit) verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs are adverbs.  Many young students have a hard time identifying adverbs. One of the easiest ways to help students remember the functions of adverbs is to explain that adverbs answer the questions How? Where? When? and To what extent?

Examples :

• Today we must complete the project. (Must complete the project when?)
• Mitch approached the intersection cautiously. (Approached how?)
• He seems especially competent. (How competent?)
• Did you see the schedule there? (Where?)
• The prosecutor did not question him further. (Questioned him to what extent?)

 

Some of the most commonly used adverbs follow:

carefully     now   really  evenly       only            too              greatly        rather         very

 

Many adverbs end in -ly. But remember that not all adverbs do. See the sentences above for some examples. The adverbs very, so, and too are also examples of commonly used adverbs that do not end in - ly. These adverbs are used to describe other adverbs, for example, very hard.

Many, but not all, words ending in ly are adverbs. Some exceptions are friendly, costly, and ugly, all of which are adjectives.

 

Adverbs can be used to compare verbs. Here’s how:

Some adverbs describe only one action.    Sheila ran fast.   The ride went smoothly.

Some adverbs compare two actions. These adverbs end in -er or use the word more.

Sheila ran faster than Fred. This ride went more smoothly than the last one.

Some adverbs are used when comparing three or more actions. These adverbs end in –est or use the word most.

Of all six runners, Sheila ran fastest.                This ride went most smoothly of the three we tried.

 

Here are some adverbs that do not end in - ly :

again                    almost        alone          already       also            always                 away                   

even            ever here              just    later never          not              now           

nowhere     often           perhaps      quite rather

seldom        so      sometimes somewhat   somewhere soon then   there           today         

too              very yesterday    yet

 

Adverbs modify verbs:

John ate quickly . ( How did he eat?)

I walk there . ( Where did I walk?)

Ashleigh will eat soon . ( When will Ashleigh eat?)

 

Adverbs modify adjectives:

Rex is very happy. ( Very modifies the adjective happy and answers the question, To what extent?)

The program was too unrealistic. ( Too modifies the adjective unrealistic and answers the question, To what extent?)

 

Adverbs modify other adverbs:

Warren walks too quickly. ( Too modifies the adverb quickly and answers the question, How quickly?)

He moved rather recently. ( Rather modifies the adverb recently and answers the question, How recently?)

 

Adverb or an adjective ?

 

When is a word an adjective, and when is it an adverb? Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. However, adverbs do not. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Adjectives describe only nouns or pronouns.

Helen has a yearly membership at the local health club. ( Yearly is an adjective since it modifies the noun membership and tells which membership.)

Helen contributes yearly. (Yearly is an adverb since it modifies the verb contributes and answers the question, When does Helen contribute ?)

Mike arrived late . ( Late is an adverb since it tells when Mike arrived.)

The late delivery cut down on sales in the supermarket. ( Late is an adjective because it tells which delivery.)

 

WRITING TIP Adverbs help readers visualize actions better. Select the precise adverb to help your reader see more clearly. Slowly might not be as accurate as gradually, leisurely, or unhurriedly. Use a dictionary or thesaurus for help.