Adverbs

Adverbs

An adverb tells how, when, or where something happens. An adverb may appear before or after the verb it modifies or between the parts of a verb phrase.

Examples of adverbs in sentences

• He sleepily watched the stars. (how)

• She will soon go on a journey. (when)

• The luggage was piled everywhere. (where)

Adverbs

Adverbs such as too, very, quite, really, so, nearly, and almost can modify adjectives as well as other adverbs.

I was too early. We left very quickly.

Comparative Adverbs

• Comparative adverbs compare two actions. Add -er to many adverbs to make them comparative. Superlative adverbs compare three or more actions.

• Add -est to many adverbs to make them superlative. If an adverb ends in -ly, use more or most instead of -er or -est. soon sooner soonest carefully more carefully most carefully

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Some adverbs do not follow the rules for comparative and superlative forms:

well, better, best;

badly, worse, worst;

much, more, most.

Multiple Choice

Directions Choose the word in ( ) that completes the sentence correctly.

Tornados happen (most often, oftenest) in Tornado Alley.

• most often

• oftenest

Multiple Choice

10. Town leaders searched (most seriously, most serious) for new ideas

• most seriously

• most serious

Multiple Choice

The Greensburg plan is the (better, best) of all possibilities.

• better

• best