An adverb is used to describe the action of a verb such as How, Where or When it is done.

Examples :He frowned angrily.She shouted loudly.They passed the test easily.

Adverbs are also used to modify adjectives, other adverbs, a whole sentence and a prepositional phrase.

Examples:to modify adjectives – She is very excited.to modify other adverbs – He ran very quickly.to modify a whole sentence – Actually, we don’t know.to modify prepositional phrase – The ball flew rightthrough the window.

Adverbs of manner describe ‘how’Example : happily, easily, loudly, well

She sings happily.He shouted loudly.

Adverbs of time describe ‘when’Example : soon, then, now, before, since, already

They need the books now.I lived here before.

Adverbs of place describe ‘where’Examples : here, there, everywhere, nowhere

I’ve looked everywhere but I can’t find it.She was here just a few minutes ago.

Adverbs of degree describe ‘how much’Examples : almost, much, only, quite, very, rather

Rahim runs much faster than Johari.He is very good at chess.

Adverbs of frequency describe ‘how often’Examples : once, twice, again

I once saw a yellow beetle.I beat the boy twice.

Adverbs of interrogation are used in questions.Examples : where?, when?, how?

Where do you stay?When did he call?How long is it?

Adverbs of negation. Examples : no, not

They are not here.No, I did not see your pen

Adverbs can be placed anywhere in the sentence.

Initial position ( at the beginning of a sentence or clause )

Soon, he walked out of the class Suddenly, Jane screamed

Mid-position Mrs. Wan often bakes delicious cakes.I have always enjoyed sentimental music

End-position Jane screamed suddenly.We ended the meeting early.

Most adverbs can fit both mid-position and end-positionShe often falls ill.She falls ill often.

I completely forgot about it.I forgot about it completely.

Mid-position Adverbs 1. Before verbs

We always travel together.They seldom go to cinema.

2. After ‘is’Ali is never around when I need him.

The shopping complexes are often crowded in the evening.

3. After the first auxiliary verbs ( if the verbs has several parts ).You will definitely have to return the book to the library.My parents have never question me on my decision.

4. Before an auxiliary verbs ( if it used alone ).I never will. ( to the question ‘ Will you return?’ )I always did. ( to the question ‘ Did you love him?’ )

5. Adverbs of manner are put after auxiliary verbs .Don’t worry, it will be well taken care of.Has it been properly washed.

6. In emphatic sentences, many adverbs are placed before the first auxiliary verb.

I really thought he was an honest fellow.She never has been an easy person to deal with.

From an AdjectiveCareful Carefully

Beautiful Beautifully

Fitting Fittingly

From a present participleWilling willinglyGlowing Glowingly

Surprising surprisingly

From a present participle

Assured Assuredly

Affected Affectedly

From an Adjective

Horrible Horribly

Terrible Terribly

When adjective ends in –y, the advebs is formed by replacing final –y with –ily

When adjective ends in –ic, the adverbs is formed by replacing final –ic with -ically

From an adjective

Happy Happily

Lucky Luckily

From an adjective

Economic Economically

Ironic Ironically

Using suitable adverbs will make your writings more interesting. Look at the example:

VERBS ADVERBS

Act Quickly, suddenly, warily, suspiciously, strangely

Apologize Sincerely, humbly, sheepishly

Fall Heavily, suddenly, accidently, weakly, clumsily

Need Badly, immediately, urgently

Sing Loudly, softly, sweetly, tunefully, melodiously

Write neatly., carelessly, beautifully, legibly

1. Complete these sentence with suitable adverbs.

a) She walked ____________________________. b) The bird sang __________________________. c) Take these dirty socks away _______________. d) She ____________________got killed. e) They _______________ take the short cut to school. f) Laura is __________________ the first in class. g)_______________________ are you going home

today?

2. Writing out these sentences using the correct from of the adverbs in brackets.

a) The ( soon ) you finish your work, the ( good ). b) The children walked ( fast ) than their mother. c) Karen speaks ( softly ) than anyone I know. d) I can whistle the ( loud ). e) He can do sums ( easy ) than any of us.