The Eight Parts of Speech
Adverbs
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• An adverb answers the question where, when,
how, or to what extent.
Adverbs:
Where:
When:
How:
To what extent:
there, here, downstairs
yesterday, soon, daily
slowly, happily, well
almost, nearly, somewhat
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Many adverbs fit these sentences:
• She thinks ______.
– She thinks quickly.
• She thinks ______ fast.
– She thinks unusually fast.
• She ______ thinks fast.
– She seldom thinks fast.
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to
adjectives.
• Sometimes a slight change in spelling is
necessary:
– strong + -ly = strongly
– true + -ly = truly
– happy + -ly = happily
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Adverbs that tell how, where, when, or to what
extent modify verbs or verbals (verb phrases).
– The band stepped lively. (how)
– Maria writes frequently. (when)
– Put the piano here. (where)
– We were thoroughly entertained. (to what extent)
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Adverbs of degree, or intensifiers, strengthen
or weaken the adjectives or other adverbs
that they modify. Intensifiers always precede
the adjectives or adverbs they modify.
– A very happy fan cheered. (modifies adjective)
– She spoke too fast. (modifies adverb)
An adverb is a word used to modify a
verb, adjective, or another adverb.
• Why it matters in writing:
– Writers typically use adverbs to describe the way
things happen –slowly for instance, or gradually,
or suddenly.
Let’s Practice
• Turn to page 22 in the Language Network text:
• Concept Check A (1-5 ONLY)
adv.
adv.
conj.
pro.
verb
adv.
pro.
• 1. Quite often, when we travel anywhere, we
verb prep.
adj.
noun
go to water parks
Let’s Practice
pro.
h. verb m. verb adv.
prep.
adj.
noun
prep.
• 2. We have slid crazily down water slides at
adj.
proper compound noun
the Wisconsin Dells.
• Complete 3-5
Let’s Practice
• Challenge: For each adverb in sentences 3 – 5,
identify the verb, verb phrase, adjective or
adverb it modifies.
On your own:
• Complete B, p. 22