Adverbs
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English Adverbs
What is an adverb?
An adverb is a part of speech that describes or
modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, clause,
or sentence.
Adverbs answer the questions "How?", "When?",
"Where?", "Why?", "In what way?", "How much?",
"How often?", "Under what condition", "To what
degree?"
The easiest adverbs to recognize are those that end
in -ly. Some adjectives end with -ly also but remember
that adjectives can modify only nouns and pronouns.
Adverbs modify everyting else.
An adverb can be placed anywhere in a sentence.
Alphabetical listing of 3732 adverbs
Adverbs starting with: a b c d e f g h
Adverbs starting with: i j k l m n o p q
Adverbs starting with: r s t u v w x y z
Adverb Quizzes
Adverbs Practice List of random sentences is given. You
need to identify each adverb in a quiz by clicking on it.
Adverbs as modifiers (adverbs in adverbial
functions)
An adverb modifies a verb
He walked quickly. ('quickly' modifies verb 'walked')
I accepted new task willingly. ('willingly' modifies
verb 'accepted')
Mike snored melodically. ('melodically' modifies
verb 'snored')
An adverb modifies an adjective
They were really unhappy. ('really' modifies
adjective 'unhappy')
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Adverbs can be classified by their functions.
Adverb lists that follow each category are only partial
ones.
Adverbs of manner - answer the question How?
I watch them closely.
I play well.
I walk carefully.
List: cheerfully, fast, quicly, slowly, inadequately,
healthy
Adverbs of time - answer the question When?
He has not played chess recently.
I arrive late for most appointments.
Lately, I have had many sleepless nights.
List: early, never, now, often, soon, then, today,
tomorrow
Adverbs of place (location, direction) - answer the
question Where?
I walked downstairs.
Have you ever gone there?
I will meet you outside.
List: above, away, below, down, here, inside, there, up
Adverbs of degree - answer the question How much?
He is totally prepared for his birthday.
I am too tired to play tennis tonight.
He is completely tired from the journey.
List: almost, entirely, little, much, rather, very, too
Adverbs of frequency - answer the question How
often?
He rarely goes by himself.
She constantly finishes her job first.
always, never, usually, frequently, sometimes,
occasionally
Conjunctive (connecting) adverbs - connect the ideas
expressed in different clauses or sentences.
Use of conjunctive adverb between two independent
clauses requires a semicolon before the adverb and
comma after it.
I want to sleep; however, I need to study.
If conjunctive adverb is used at the beginning of a
sentence, comma is used to set it off. note that the
period takes the place of a semicolon.
The day was over. Therefore, I went to sleep.
If conjunctive adverb is placed within a clause,
commas are used to set it off.
The day is over. I will, therefore, go to sleep.
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Adverbs http://www.esldesk.com/grammar/adverbs

My brother is completely fearless. ('completely' Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs:
modifies adjective 'fearless') accordingly, also, anyhow, furthermore, however,
I know she is very careful. ('very' modifies adjective moreover, otherwise, still, therefore.
'careful')
Interrogative adverbs - used at the beginning of
An adverb modifies an adverb questions.
He is almost always hungry. ('almost' modifies Why are you so angry?
adverb 'always') When does the movie start?
John plays tennis very well. ('very' modifies adverb List: why, where, how, when
'well')
You never can work too carefully. ('too' modifies
Comparison of adverbs.
adverb 'carefully')
Like adjectives, adverbs have three forms of
An adverb modifies a clause comparison: positive, comparative, and superlative.
Perhaps you are correct, but not at first glance. Positive degree expresses the quality without
('perhaps' modifies clause 'you are correct') comparison.
Surely he will be on time, but I hope not. ('surely' Comparative degree compares two verbs, adjectives,
modifies clause 'he will be on time') or adverbs.
Superlative degree compares three or more verbs,
An adverb modifies a sentence adjectives or adverbs.
Suddenly, she went home. ('suddenly' modifies a
whole sentence) Adverb comparison
Finally, he will be on time. ('finally' modifies a Most adverbs are compared by using another adverb.
whole sentence) More or less are used to express the comparative
Today, we can take a vacation.('today' modifies a degree.
whole sentence) Most or least are used to express the superlative
degree.
Adverb Formation I dance gracefully (or horribly).
I dance more gracefully (or more horribly).
Adverbs that end in -ly are formed by adding -ly to an I dance most gracefully ( or most horribly).
adjective, a present participle, or a past participle.
- from an adjective
careful - carefully Suffix comparison
beautiful - beautiful Some adverbs are compared using a suffix –er for the
fitting - fittingly comparative forms and –est for the superlative forms.
- from a present participle I will arrive soon (or fast).
willing - willingly I will arrive sooner (or faster).
glowing - glowingly I will arrive soonest (or fastest).
surprising - surprisingly
- from a past participle Irregular comparison
assured - assuredly There are also a number of adverbs compared
affected - affectedly irregularly.
surprised - surprisedly These must be remembered. Here are some of them.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
When adjective ends in -able or -ible, the adverb is
bad/badly worse worst
formed by replacing final -e with -y
horrible - horribly far farther/further farthest/furthest
terrible - terribly late/lately later latest
little less least
When adjective ends in -y, the adverb is formed by
replacing final -y with -ily much more most
happy - happily well better best
lucky - luckily
Beyond comparison
When adjective ends in -ic, the adverb is formed by Some adverbs are never compared. They express
replacing final -ic with -ically qualities unsuitable for comparison.
economic - economically Here are some of them: again, almost, before, ever,
ironic - ironically never, here, there, now, then, there, thus, too, twice,
very.
Adverbs Position
Adverbs can be placed anywhere in a sentence. Note

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Adverbs http://www.esldesk.com/grammar/adverbs

At the front (prior to the subject) The three most common adverbs used in English
Today we will study adverbs. Language are: not, very, too
Lately, I have had lots of phone calls.
Adverbs Links
At the center of the sentence (between the subject and
the verb) Adverb - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Adverbs
He seldom goes to movies. in English, examples of adverbs in adverbial functions
I hardly noticed her. and more
BBC - Skillswise Words - Making more interesting
At the end of the sentence sentences using adverbs. Factsheets,worksheets, quizzes
I learn English slowly. Adverb from The Guide to Grammar and Writing.
I study adverbs now. Lots of info and two quizzes.

Adverbs as intensifiers
Adverbs can be used as amplifiers, down toners, or
emphasizers.

- as emphasizers.
I really like him.
I literally wrecked my car.

- as amplifiers
They completely abandoned the city.
I absolutely refuse to leave.

- as down toners
I somewhat like this movie.
Peter almost quit that job.

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