Adjectives and Adverbs Adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon

What is an adjective? An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun or a pronoun. He seems strange. The response was quick. Be careful on Friday, the 13th. “Strange” is an adjective that describes the pronoun “he.” “Quick” is an adjective that describes the noun “response.” “Careful” is an adjective that describes the implied pronoun “you.”

When should I use an adjective? Use adjectives with these verbs: Be-verbs is are were being am was be been Sense Verbs look feel taste smell sound Linking Verbs become remain appear seem

What is an adverb? An adverb is a word that describes, modifies, or intensifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Most adverbs are formed with the addition of the –ly suffix to an existing adjective: He behaves strangely. They responded extremely quickly. Be particularly careful on Friday, the 13th. “Strangely” is an adverb that describes the verb “behaves.” “Extremely” is an adverb that intensifies the adverb “quickly.” “Particularly” is an adverb that describes the adjective “careful.”

When should I use an adverb? Use adverbs with these verbs: Action Verbs swing swat swear blink blast beware Sense Verbs Used as Action Verbs look feel taste smell sound

That seems simple enough. Knowing the difference between adjectives and adverbs seems fairly simple when you know what the word is intended to modify, but be careful; a sense verb might signal either an adjective or an adverb. Greg looked sympathetic. Greg looked sympathetically at the mourners. In the first sentence, “sympathetic” is describing the noun “Greg,” so it’s an adjective. In the second example, “sympathetically” is describing the verb “looked,” so we added –ly to “sympathetic” make it an adverb.

Wait! Sense verbs are on both lists? A side-by-side comparison will help clarify when sense verbs require adjectives and when they require adverbs. Use an Adjective to Modify a Noun: She looked cold. I felt sick. Your homemade ice cream tastes delicious. Her perfume smelled floral. That country song sounded depressing. Use an Adverb to Modify a verb: She looked coldly at the heckler. I felt carefully for the switch. I will gladly taste your homemade ice cream. My dog enthusiastically smells everything he finds in the park. The alarm sounded loudly to warn us to leave the building.

What should I watch for? People often confuse the meanings of “real” and “really.” The admiral has real charm (genuine charm). Real is an adjective meaning "genuine." He is really charismatic (very charismatic). Really is an adverb meaning “very.”

What else should I watch for? People often confuse the meanings of sure and surely. I am sure the food will taste good (I am certain). Sure is an adjective meaning “certain.” The food surely smells good (certainly smells good). Surely is an adverb meaning “certainly.”