What are the Adverbs?

What are the Adverbs?

Adverbs are the words which describe verbs

For Example:

He quickly runs.

She slowly eats.

Identifying an Adverb

You can tell whether or not a word is an adverb by considering its function in the sentence. If it is describing one of those three parts of speech- a verb, adjective or other adverb- it is an adverb.

You can also tell whether something is an adverb by looking at the ending of the word. A lot of adverbs - not all, but a lot - end in “ly.” For example, happily, quickly, speedily, steadily, foolishly, and angrily are all adverbs. So, if you said:

·         He happily runs.

You can tell that happily is an adverb because it is describing the word runs and because it ends in ly.

Many frequency words are adverbs as well. For example, very, much, more and many can all be adverbs.

·         The very pretty girl was in the car.

·         The much smarter boy won the race.

Common Errors with Adverbs and Adjectives

People often mistakenly use adjectives when they should use an adverb and vice versa. For example, a sentence that reads:

·         He behaved very bad on the field trip.

Is incorrect, because bad is modifying or describing behaved, which is a verb. It should read

·         He behaved very badly.

On the other hand, if you said:

·         His behavior is bad.

That would be correct, because in this case, the word bad is an adjective describing the noun behavior. 

Good and Well

Confusing adverbs and adjectives is a common error with the words good and well.

·         Good is an adjective that should modify nouns (the good boy).

·         Well is an adverb that modifies a verb (he listens well), or even an adjective (the well educated boy).

To practice, identify the adverb in each of the following sentences.

1.    Jim will miss the many wonderful people at work.

2.    Joe walked slowly and steadily up the hill.

3.    Becky ate quickly and then felt sick.

4.    Joe is very late.

5.    Clark wanted to be the great big house.

Answers:

1.    Jim will miss the many wonderful people at work. Many is the adverb, which modifies the adjective wonderful, which modifies the noun people.

2.    Joe walked slowly and steadily up the hill. Slowly and steadily are both adverbs here, describing the way Joe walked.

3.    Becky ate quickly and then felt sick. Quickly is the adverb here, modifying the verb ate.

4.    Joe is very late. Very is an adverb modifying late which is an adjective modifying Joe.

5.    Clark wanted to be the great big house. Great is an adverb modifying big which is an adjective modifying house