Adverbs
An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. For example:
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- She is an extremely quick swimmer.
When an adverb modifies a verb, it usually tells us how, when, where, how often, and how much the action is performed. Here are some examples of adverbs modifying verbs:
- How: He ran quickly.
- When: He ran yesterday.
- Where: He ran here.
- How often: He ran daily.
- How much: He ran fastest.
In the examples above, every adverb is a single word, but an adverb can be made up of more than one word. For example:
- How: He ran at 10 miles per hour.
- When: He ran when the police arrived.
- Where: He ran to the shops.
- How often: He ran every day.
- How much: He ran quicker than me.
FORM
[adjective + ly]
There are also irregular adverbs such as “well” and “fast.”
Adverbs Modifying Verbs
An adverb that modifies a verb usually tells you when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent the action is performed. (NB: The ones that end ly are usually the ones that tell us how the action is performed, e.g., quickly, slowly, carefully, quietly.)
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying verbs:
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- Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf.
- Tara walks gracefully.
- He runs fast.
- You can set your watch by him. He always leaves at 5 o’clock.
- The dinner guests arrived early.
- She sometimes helps us.
- Will you come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs? (Comedian Spike Milligan)
- I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
USE 1
Adverbs can be used to modify verbs.
Examples:
- John walked quickly towards the door.
- Sally sat silently waiting for somebody else to speak first.
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives
If you examine the word adverb, you could be forgiven for thinking adverbs only modify verbs (i.e., “add” to “verbs”), but adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adjectives:
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- The horridly grotesque gargoyle was undamaged by the debris.
- Peter had an extremely ashen face.
- Badly trained dogs that fail the test will become pets.
- She wore a beautifully designed dress.
USE 2
Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives.
Examples:
- The redwood tree was impressively tall.
- The blouse was outrageously expensive.
Adverbs Modifying Adverbs
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adverbs:
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- Peter Jackson finished his assignment remarkably quickly.
- We’re showing kids a world that is very scantily populated with women and female characters. They should see female characters taking up half the planet, which we do. (Actress Geena Davis)
USE 3
Adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs.
