Adverbs

Adverbs

Lesson for Young Adults and Adults.

What is an Adverb?

Explanation

An adverb is used to modify a verb, an adjective, another verb or even a whole clause.
Sometimes, adverbs can describe manner, time or place.
Adverbs often end in -ly but not always.

The cat lay lazily.

He ran quickly.
(The adverb "quickly" describes how he ran)

They arrived late.
(The adverb "late" describes when they arrived)

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​Examples:

Adverbs can modify verbs to describe how an action is happening.

She runs quickly.

The adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "runs", which shows us how she is running.

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​Adverbs to modify VERBS

Adverbs can modify adjectives to show the intensity, degree or extent to which something happens.

The weather is suprisingly cold.

The adverb "surprisingly" modifies the adjective "cold" and gives us additional information in the sentence.

Adverbs to modify ADJECTIVES

Adverbs can provide additional information about the manner, degree, frequency or certainty of the action they modify.

She solved the problem incredibly quickly.

The adverb "incredibly" modifies the adverb "quickly", emphasising the degree of speed.

​Adverbs to modify other ADVERBS

Sometimes, adverbs can be used to modify a whole clause.

Interestingly, the rain started when I began to sing.

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​Adverbs to modify WHOLE CLAUSES

Types of Adverbs

​... and descriptions.

Adverbs of Manner: Describe how an action is performed.
She sings beautifully.
Adverbs of Place: Indicate the location or direction of an action.
They live nearby.
Adverbs of Time: Specify when an action takes place.
He arrived late.
Adverbs of Frequency: Indicate how often an action occurs.
She always arrives early.
Adverbs of Degree: Show the intensity or degree of an action or quality.
It's very hot today.

Placing Adverbs

Where to place them in a sentence.

Adverbs are usually placed before the verb in a sentence.

However, it will depend on the intention we want to deliver.