The Adverb
There are only two of the eight parts of speech that can modify. The adjective
modifies nouns and pronouns, and the adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, and
other adverbs.
Adverbs will answer one of the five questions about the word it is modifying
(which will be a verb, adjective or another adverb)
How? The cat slowly stalked its prey.
The adverb, slowly, modifies the word “stalked.” Stalked how? Slowly.
When? I will see you later.
The adverb, later, modifies the word see. When will I see you? Later.
Where? The unhappy child ran away from home.
The adverb, away, modifies the verb ran. Ran where? Away.
How often? The sunshine always brightens my day.
The adverb always modifies the verb brightens. How does it brighten? Often.
To what extent? We almost never miss church on Sunday. The adverb never
modifies the verb miss. How often do we miss? Never.
The adverb almost modifies the word never, answering, ” to what extent” church
is never missed…almost never.
Important:
Unlike adjectives which usually come before the word they modify, adverbs can be
found most anywhere in a sentence. This sometimes makes them harder to
identify. You must memorize the questions adjectives and adverbs will answer as
well as the parts of speech each can modify in order to successfully identify them
in sentences. If you mix this information up, that indicates that you need to study it
some more until it is totally secure in your memory.