ADVERBS

What is an adverb?

A word that modifies averb,

adjectiveOr another adverb

Can I have some examples?

• My father spoke sharply to me. (Sharply modifies the verb “spoke”)

• That pencil is too soft. (Too modifies the adjective “soft”)

• The game ended rather suddenly. (Rather modifies the adverb “suddenly”)

We can sort out the various adverbs by the kinds of questions they answer about verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

• Arlene went out. (Where did Arlene go? She went OUT.)• They left yesterday. (When did they leave?

They left yesterday.)• We seldom hurry. (How often do we hurry? We seldom hurry.)• Jim dresses neatly. (How does Jim dress?

He dresses neatly.)

Most adverbs answer the question WHERE?, WHEN?, HOW OFTEN?

Here are some frequently used adverbs:• WHERE? away, around, back, elsewhere,

here, nowhere, out, outdoors, somewhere, there, upstairs

• WHEN?(HOW OFTEN?)always, finally, later, monthly,

seldom,never, now, once, often,

promptly, sometimes, soon, then, today, twice,

usually, weekly, yearly

HOW? adverbs

• The how? adverbs, most of which end in –ly, form by far the largest group. Here are a few:

– Badly, boldly, brightly, coldly, coyly, happily, loudly,lovingly, patiently, quickly, sadly, shyly, slowly,

somehow, thoroughly, well

To what extent?

• A few adverbs are often used with adjectives and adverbs to answer the question: to what extent?– He came home very soon. – This is more important.– Constance is unusually intelligent.

To what extent (examples)

almost, more, much, only, quite, somewhat,

too, very, especially, exceptionally, hardly,

largely, nearly, particularly, really, scarcely, so,

surprisingly