What is an Adverb? An adverb is a word that is used to change or qualify the meaning of an adjective, a verb, a clause, another adverb, or any other type of word or phrase with the exception of determiners and adjectives that directly modify nouns. Traditionally considered to be a single part of speech, adverbs perform a wide variety of functions, which makes it difficult to treat them as a single, unified category. Adverbs normally carry out these functions by answering questions such as… • When? She always arrives early. • How? He drives carefully. • Where? They go everywhere together. • In what way? She eats slowly. • To what extent? It is terribly hot. This is called adverbial function and may be accomplished by adverbial clauses and adverbial phrases as well as by adverbs that stand alone. There are many rules for using adverbs, and these rules often depend upon which type of adverb you are using. Remember these basics, and using adverbs to make sentences more meaningful will be easier for you. First, Adverbs can always be used to modify verbs. Example… • The dog ran. In this example, you can picture a dog running, but you don’t really know much more about the scene. • The dog ran excitedly. In this example, you can picture a dog running, wagging it’s tail, panting happily and looking glad to see it’s owner. You can paint much more interesting picture in your head when you know how or why the dog is running. Second, adverbs are often formed by adding the letters “-ly” to adjectives. This makes is very easy to identify adverbs in sentences. There are many exceptions to this rule; everywhere, nowhere, and upstairs are a few examples. An adverb can be used to modify an adjective and intensify the meaning it conveys. For example…. • He plays tennis well. (He knows how to play tennis and sometimes he wins.) • He plays tennis extremely well. (He knows how to play tennis so well that he wins often. Proceed to types of adverbs… Types of Adverb of Adverb of Adverbs Time Adverb of Place Adverb of Manner Degree Adverb of Frequency An adverb of time is just what you might expect it to be – a word that describes when, for how long, or how often a certain action happened. You will notice that many adverbs of time are the same as adverbs of frequency. There is quite a bit of overlap between these two types of adverbs – so much so that some instructors choose to mention one or the other but not both. Examples • Are you coming to work tomorrow? • I’d like to go to the movies later. • Jim was so sick he spent four weeks in the hospital. Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us where things happen are defined as adverbs of place. Some instructors refer to these words or phrases as spatial adverbs. No matter what they are called, these adverbs always answer one important question: Where? Examples • • • • Put the cake there. After a long day at work, we headed homewards. Please bring that book here. My grandfather’s house is nearby. Adverbs of manner describe how something happens. For example, it is possible to walk or run at different speeds. The words used to describe walking or running at different speeds (quickly or slowly for example) are excellent examples of adverbs of manner. They help the reader gain greater insight into the way a written scene is playing out. Comparing the following sentences will help you to understand how these adverbs change the overall meaning of the sentences they’re found in. Examples • He quickly agreed to go to the store for milk. (His agreement was quick) • He agreed to go to the store for milk quickly. (He would go to the store quickly) • She quietly asked me to leave the room. (Her request was quiet) • She asked me to leave the room quietly. (I am not going to make noise when I leave) An adverb of degree is used to discuss the degree or intensity of an adjective, an action, or another adverb. There are so many adverbs of degree that it’s impossible to list them all in one short guide. Examples • • • • • They were almost finished. This cake is absolutely wonderful. The temperature was barely above freezing. Our driveway is completely frozen. We felt incredibly lucky after winning tickets to the World Series. • My teacher is terribly grumpy today. An adverb of frequency is exactly what it sounds like – an adverb of time. Adverbs of frequency always describe how often something occurs, either in definite or indefinite terms. An adverb that describes definite frequency is one such as weekly, daily, or yearly. An adverb describing indefinite frequency doesn’t specify an exact time frame; examples are sometimes, often, and rarely. Examples • • • • • • The incubator turns each egg hourly. We take a vacation at least once annually. I usually shop for groceries on Saturday mornings. He is often late for work. We seldom see John. My dentist told me I should floss twice daily. Types of Adverb of Adverb of Adverbs Time Oh no!! Ultron attacked the base you have to answer all of his questions correctly to beat him. Good luck soldier. Adverb of Place Adverb of Manner Degree Adverb of Proceed>>>> Frequency Are you sure you can defeat me? You should answer all of my questions correctly or else I will turn you into a metal. WAHAHAHAH!!! START 1. The driver stopped the bus _______________. Financially Exactly Abruptly Now Wrong!! Try Again Review Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next Correct! Next 2. During autumn, colorful leaves can be seen falling ______________ from trees. Everywhere Gently Very Loudly 3. Susan ________________ early for class. Are often Often is Often are Is often 4. When do you ____________ go on vacation each year? Usually Always Never Ever 5. The excited baby pounded the table _______________. Badly Hungrily Normally Variously 6. Reading ______________ helps you to understand concepts better Always Briefly Carefully Rapidly 7. Close the door when you go ___________. Here Lightly Westward Out 8. The cat is hiding _______________ the couch. Underneath Somewhere On There 9. Have you done your homework _____________? Still Yet Then Now 10. The patient is ___________ waiting to see the doctor. Sadly Every day Still Never I-I-I-Impossible!! How can you beat me? NOOOOOOOOO!!! Click here to continue Congratulations!!! Prepared by: Paul Angelo R. Pavino Thank you!!
