MINI LESSON: Adverbs

Definition An adverb is a word that modifies or describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Adverbs that modify verbs The tornado nearly destroyed the town. adverb verb The hamster moved quickly in its cage. verb adverb They searched everywhere for the keys. verb adverb

Adverbs that modify adjectives He is an incredibly talented musician. adverb adjective Elizabeth is quite creative. adverb adjective The donation was very generous. adverb adjective

Adverbs that modify adverbs Joe speaks French remarkably fluently. adverb adverb She drove very slowly in the snow. adverb adverb Buses depart quite regularly from here. adverb adverb

Adverbs answer the following questions: Where? When? How? To What Degree? How much? How often? How long?

Some adverbs answer the question WHERE? Example: I went away on vacation during spring break.

Some common WHERE? adverbs: above away here inside there up

Examples of WHERE? adverbs: We looked everywhere for the lost dog. They went inside. Mom put my bag there.

“Where? Adverbs” vs. Prepositions Words that are sometimes prepositions can act as “Where? adverbs.” A preposition requires an object. An adverb does not. If you want to see the eclipse, you will need to go outside. “OUTSIDE” tells you where you will need to go, so without an object “OUTSIDE” is an adverb. Dorothy colors outside the lines. “OUTSIDE” is a preposition. “LINES” is the object of the preposition.

Some adverbs answer the question WHEN? Example: I went to the beach yesterday.

Some common WHEN? adverbs: later now soon then tomorrow

Examples of WHEN? adverbs: My parents arrived late. I heard this song before. I recently read an article about Africa.

Some adverbs answer the question HOW? Example: The burglar softly crept to the safe.

Many “HOW? Adverbs” are made by adding –ly to the end of an adjective. Adjective: STRANGE KIND Add –ly = STRANGELY Add –ly = KINDLY The Boy Scout kindly helped the old lady cross the street. It was strangely quiet in the hallways.

Notice the “-ly” ending! Common HOW? adverbs: clearly easily quietly slowly Notice the “-ly” ending!

Examples of HOW? adverbs: The snow melted quickly in the sun. The gymnast carefully walked across the balance beam. Secretively, the children hid the gift under the bed. Notice the “-ly” ending!

Be careful! Not all –ly words are adverbs! The lonely man walked away from the crowd. (Lonely is an adjective.) Lovely flowers arrived for my birthday. (Lovely is an adjective.) We live in a friendly neighborhood. (Friendly is an adjective.)

Example: The Arctic Circle is quite cold. And some adverbs answer the question TO WHAT DEGREE? (How much? How long? How often?) Example: The Arctic Circle is quite cold.

Some common TO WHAT DEGREE? adverbs: almost always so usually too continuously more never least forever extremely quite briefly very not

Examples of TO WHAT DEGREE? adverbs: We ran fast enough to catch the bus. She briefly summarized the story. They never visit the library.