Adverbs

Verbs can be modified in much the same way as nouns are.For example, consider this sentence:

Margaret types slowly.

Subject Verb Adverb

1, To identify Subject: Who types? Margaret = Subject

2. To Identify Verb: What does Margaret do? Types = Verb

3. To identify Adverb: How does Margaret type? Slowly

In this case, the verb is types, and the subject is Margaret. The adverb slowly explains how she types;
it does not describe Margaret herself. So,

AN ADVERB IS ANY WORD (OR GROUP OF WORDS) THAT ADDS INFORMATION TO

A VERB.

In the following sentences, the ADVERBS are underlined:

 Ben speaks well.

 He looks confidently at his listeners.
 He expresses his ideas smoothly.
 He clearly articulates each word.

Notice that three of the four ADVERBS used end in -ly. In fact, most adverbs in English do end in
-ly; they are formed by adding the -ly to an adjective.

 slow  slowly
 happy  happily
 quiet  quietly
 strong  strongly

Even many adjectives that are participles can be used as adverbs by adding an -ly ending:
 exhausted  exhaustedly
 alleged  allegedly
 haunting  hauntingly
 laughing  laughingly

Exercise 5
In each sentence, underline the verb and circle the adverb.
1. Greg desperately wanted a vacation.
2. So he cautiously asked his boss for time off.
3. She answered him regretfully.
4. She seriously needed his help.
5. He patiently explained his needs.
6. His mind had been wandering aimlessly.
7. His work was being done sloppily.
8. His boss looked at Greg hesitantly.

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 9. Then she calmly told him to go.
10. He politely thanked her.

Exercise 6 First change these adjectives into adverbs. Then use each new adverb in a
sentence.
1. silent  __________________________________________________________
2. excited  __________________________________________________________
3. merry  __________________________________________________________
4. horrible  __________________________________________________________
5. weary  __________________________________________________________
6. patient  __________________________________________________________
7. studious  __________________________________________________________
8. correct  __________________________________________________________
9. joyful  __________________________________________________________
10. boasting  __________________________________________________________

You should also know that PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES can be used as ADVERBS, not just as
ADJECTIVES.

I walked across the room.

In this sentence, the verb is walked, and the subject is I. You already know that across the room is a
prepositional phrase; it consists of a preposition (across) followed by a noun (the room). But this
time, the prepositional phrase is not adding information to another noun in the sentence. Instead, it is
modifying the verb; it explains where or how I walked.
Here are some other examples of PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES being used as ADVERBS:

The treasurer signed on the dotted line.

The comet streaked through the sky.
The witness squirmed in his chair.
The manuscript slipped from my hands.

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Exercise 7

In this letter, underline all of the prepositional phrases. See if you can decide whether each
prepositional phrase is acting as an adjective or as an adverb.

Dear Sir,

I would like to report an automobile accident. I am also making a claim for damages to my car.

The accident occurred on February 13. My car was parked on Elm Street. A snowstorm during the
night had made the street quite icy. Mr. Kowalski's car skidded on the ice and hit my car. The left
rear fender of my car was crushed. The damages are estimated at $950. Mr. Kowalski admits
responsibility and has filed a police report (#003 726).

I would like restitution for the repair costs. My car may be viewed at Al's Auto Body Shop, 261
Hughes Avenue.

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

You are probably familiar with words like not and never. But did you know that they are
ADVERBS?

Gwen never leaves work early.

In this sentence, the verb is leaves, and the subject is Gwen. The word never is changing the verb in
such a way as to make it NEGATIVE Never is an ADVERB, not part of the verb.

Ken did not answer the telephone.

This time, the verb is a two-word verb: did answer. The subject is Ken. Here, the word not also
makes the verb negative; it comes between the two words of the verb, but it is still an ADVERB, not
part of the verb itself.

Not all adverbs that work this way are negative. Here are some other examples:

Norma always works hard.

Alice sometimes goofs off.
She can also concentrate on her job.

Notice that in the last of these examples the verb is can concentrate, split up by an adverb.

Exercise 8
In each of these sentences, circle the adverbs and underline the verbs. Watch out for split verbs!
1. Anita never asks questions.
2. She often makes mistakes.
3. Dennis will sometimes correct Anita's errors.

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4. Anita always appreciates his help.
5. But she does not show it.
6. Anita always conceals her errors.
7. She should not hide her feelings.
8. Dennis can always perceive Anita's gratitude.
9. He also recognizes her shyness.
10. Anita should not neglect a good friend.

One last point must be made about adverbs. Consider this sentence:

The terribly exhausted stenographer dropped her pad.

Adverb Adjective Subject/Noun Verb

We've already seen that dropped is the verb, stenographer is the subject, and exhausted is an
adjective describing the subject. But what is terribly? From the -ly ending, we can tell that terribly
is an ADVERB. But it does not seem to be modifying a verb. In fact, the only verb in this sentence is
dropped, which is not connected to terribly at all. In this case, terribly is adding information to
exhausted. That is, the adverb is modifying an adjective. Similarly, an adverb can modify another
adverb:

Mercedes reads very slowly.

Here, slowly is an adverb describing the verb reads. But very is another adverb describing the main
adverb slowly. Therefore, we must expand our definition of the adverb:

AN ADVERB IS ANY WORD (OR GROUP OF WORDS) THAT ADDS INFORMATION TO A

VERB, AN ADJECTIVE, OR ANOTHER ADVERB.

Exercise 9
In each of these sentences, an adverb is underlined. Circle the word that the adverb is describing.
Then, in the space at the right, indicate whether the described word is a verb, an adjective, or another
adverb.
1. An organized resume is extremely important. Adjective
2. It should market your talent convincingly. _____________
3. You must design your resume very carefully. _____________
4. It must clearly outline your work history. _____________
5. It should also include your educational background. _____________
6. Specialized skills will be particularly salable. _____________
7. Extracurricular activities help surprisingly well. _____________
8. The resume should be typed accurately. _____________
9. A crisply worded cover letter should accompany the resume. _____________
10. Then an interview will be granted more readily. _____________

Sources: Business English A Complete Guide to Developing an Effective Business Writing Style Third Edition

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Andrea B. Geffner Former Dean, Taylor Business Institute, N.Y. President, ESCO, Inc., N.Y.