Adverbs
Adverbs
An adverb modifies, or
describes, a verb, an
adjective, or another
adverb.
An adverb tells how, when, or where
about the word it modifies.
An adverb can appear anywhere in a
sentence.
1. The ballerina danced gracefully on the
stage.
how?
2. Lisa walked outside to eat lunch. where?
3. The basketball tournament begins tonight.
when?
1. Jen happily plays the piano.
how?
2. Often the family eats together.
3. My puppy ran outside.
where?
when?
Most, but not all, words that end
in –ly are adverbs. This type of
adverb is usually formed by
adding –ly to an adjective.
• Adjective: graceful  Adverb: gracefully
• Adjective: quiet  Adverb: quietly
Some adverbs do not end in –ly. The
chart below lists the most common
ones.
ADVERBS THAT DO NOT END IN -LY
soon
after
now
later
hard
not
fast
often
today
always
very
here
Underline each adverb.
1. They soon were cooking dinner.
2. The little boy playfully tickled his
sister.
3. The movie later showed a fight scene.
4. Misty proudly accepted the trophy.
5. Quickly turn in your homework now.
An adverb that modifies an adjective
or another adverb almost always
appears immediately before the word
it modifies.
• Ty is an unusually fast runner.
• Kaci almost always wins.
ADVERBS OFTEN USED TO MODIFY ADJECTIVES
AND OTHER ADVERBS
very
too
almost
quite
so
extremely
really
partly
rather
nearly
barely
unusually
just
somewhat
totally
hardly
Find each adverb that modifies an
adjective or another adverb.
1. I almost never eat carrots. Adv.
2. That movie was quite scary. Adj.
3. Mom washed the crystal vase very
carefully. Adv.
4. Krystal was really happy to make the
team. Adj.
5. Mark could very quickly solve the math
problems. Adv.
Adverbs that Compare
The comparative form of an adverb
compares two actions. The
superlative form of an adverb
compares more than two actions.
• Matt sits closer to the door than I do.
• Ann sits the closest to the door of all.
Adverbs that Compare
Adverbs that have only one
syllable form the comparative by
adding –er and form the
superlative by adding –est.
• Comparative: The little dog ran faster
than the big one.
• Superlative: The little dog ran the
fastest of all of them.
Adverbs that Compare
Adverbs that have more than one
syllable or that end in –ly use the
word more to form the comparative
and the word most to form the
superlative.
• Comparative: The little dog ran more
quickly than the big one.
• Superlative: The little dog ran the most
quickly of all of them.
ADVERB
COMPARATIVE
carefully
more
carefully
__________
more slowly
SUPERLATIVE
most
carefully
__________
slowly
__________
most slowly
_________
gently
more gently
__________
most gently
__________
hard
harder
__________
hardest
__________
soon
sooner
__________
soonest
__________
Adjective or Adverb?
Adjective: modifies a noun or
pronoun.
Adverb: modifies a verb, an
adjective, or another adverb.
Adjective or Adverb?
When they follow a verb, however, they
can be confusing.
THE RULE: A predicate adjective
follows a linking verb, and an adverb
follows an action verb.
• A leopard is fast.
• A leopard runs fast.
Reminder
Common Linking Verbs
appear
become
am, is, are, feel
was, were
grow
look
seem
taste
Practice
1. Brian sings better than Troy. adv.
2. Melissa became angry with her
brother.
adj.
3. This class seems longer than usual. adj.
4. Pam ran quickly across the street. adv.
5. Mom cheered loudly from the
bleachers. adv.