ADVERBS

What are Adverbs?

● An adverb is a word that modifies (describes) a verb

(he sings loudly), an adjective (very tall),
another adverb (ended too quickly)
 Why do we use adverbs?
● They answers questions like when, where, how, how much, how often etc.
Example
❖ He drank the coffee quickly.
⮚ Quickly is an adverb because it gives information about the verb. It also
answers the question “how” he drank the coffee.
❖ You can sit here.
⮚ Here is an adverb because it modifies the verb and also answers the question
sit “where.”
❖ She looks really beautiful.
⮚ Really is an adverb which describes “how much” beautiful.
❖ She went to school yesterday.
⮚ Yesterday is an adverb which answers the question “when”
❖ She sometimes dance at the weddings.
⮚ Sometimes is an adverb which answers the question “how often"
 Types of Adverbs

● Adverbs are divided into five common types

❖ Adverbs of manner (how)
❖ Adverbs of degree (how much)
❖ Adverbs of place (where)
❖ Adverbs of time (when)
❖ Adverbs of frequency (how often)
 Adverbs of Manner

● Adverbs of manner describe how something happens. For example, it is

possible to walk or run at different speeds. The words used to describe
walking or running at different speeds (quickly or slowly for example) are
excellent examples of adverbs of manner.
● Examples
❖ The boys ran.
(There is no adverb of manner in this sentence, so we can only imagine how
fast the boys are running.)
❖ The boys ran quickly.
(The adverb of manner is quickly. It tells us that the boys are in a hurry.)
❖ The boys were tired, so they ran more slowly than before.
(The adverb of manner is slowly. It tells us that the boys are running, but they
aren’t covering as much ground as they were before.)
 Adverbs of Degree

● An adverb of degree is used to discuss the degree or

intensity of an adjective, an action, or another adverb.
● Examples
❖ They were almost finished. (how much)
❖ This cake is absolutely wonderful.
❖ The temperature was barely above freezing.
 Adverb of Place

● Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a

sentence by telling us where things happen are defined
as adverbs of place. Some instructors refer to these
words or phrases as spatial adverbs. No matter what
they are called, these adverbs always answer one
important question: Where?
● Examples
❖ I searched everywhere I could think of.
❖ I’m going back to school.
❖ They built a house nearby.
❖ She took the child outside.
 ADVERBS OF PLACE THAT ARE ALSO PREPOSITIONS

● Many adverbs of place, can be used as prepositions. When

used as prepositions, they should be followed by a noun.
● Examples
❖ Around
The marble rolled around in my hand.(adverbs of place)
I am wearing a necklace around my neck.(preposition)
❖ Behind
Hurry! You are getting behind.(adverbs of place)
Let’s hide behind the shed.(preposition)
❖ In
We decided to drop in on Jake.(adverbs of place)
 Adverb of Time

● Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a

sentence by telling us when things happen are defined
as adverbs of time.
● Examples
❖ Are you coming to work tomorrow?
❖ I’d like to go to the movies later.
❖ Today she will buy a new dress.
 Adverb of Frequency
● Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by
telling us how often or how frequently something happens are
defined as adverbs of frequency. An adverb that describes
definite frequency is one such as weekly, daily, or yearly. An
adverb describing indefinite frequency doesn’t specify an
exact time frame; examples are sometimes, often, and rarely.
● Examples
Sometimes I get so angry that I cannot even talk to him.
Alex often goes abroad for official duties.
However, we also go to tours regularly.   
DEGREES OF COMPARISON IN
ADVERBS
 Degrees of adverbs
▣ Like adjectives, adverbs also have three degrees.
❖ Positive degree
❖ Comparative degree
❖ Superlative degree
▣ Adverbs are used to express how something is done
(adjectives express how someone or something is).
▣ Example
The dog sleeps quietly. (adverb)
The dog is quiet. (adjective)
 Comparative Adverbs
▣ If we want to compare one verb action with
another, we can use a comparative adverb. We
use comparative adverbs when talking
about two actions (not three or more actions).
Comparison is always between TWO things.
▣ Example
⮚ Joe ran faster than Marie.
How to make Comparative Adverbs
▣ There are three basic ways to make or "form" a
comparative adverb:
❖  One-syllable adverbs: add -er
If an adverb has only one syllable, we usually
just add -er to make it comparative.
⮚ Examples
Fast – Faster
Hard – Harder
Low – Lower
Long – Longer etc.
❖ Two-syllable adverbs: use more
When an adverb has two or more syllables (like all -
ly adverbs), we can make it comparative by
adding more in front. We can also use less in place
of more to suggest a reduction in the action.
⮚ Examples
Carefully – More carefully
Happily – More happily
Quickly – More quickly
She visits often (adverb)
She visits more often (comparative adverb)
She visits less often (comparative adverb)
❖ Irregular Adverbs
A few adverbs have irregular forms.
⮚ Examples
Badly – Worse
Much – More
Well – Better etc.
Adverbs with no comparative forms
▣ Note that some adverbs have no comparative forms
⮚ Examples

Daily
Yesterday
Here
There
Now
Then
Never
Sometime. etc
 Superlative Adverbs
▣ A superlative adverb is used to compare three
or more people, places, or things. It’s used to
state that the action performed is to the highest
degree within a group or of its kind. They are
sometimes preceded by the word “the” but not
always.
⮚ Examples
Bobby talks the loudest of all the boys.
Jill danced the best.
 Forming a Superlative Adverb
❖ If the adverb has the same form as a one-syllable adjective
simply add the suffix –est to the end of the word.
⮚ Examples

Barry slept the longest.

Naomi finished the quickest.
❖  If the adverb ends with a “y” then change the “y” to “i”

and then add –est.

⮚ Examples

Kyle and Lindsey arrived early but Luke arrived the earliest.

❖ When an adverb has two or more syllables (like all -

ly adverbs), we can make it superlative by adding most or

least in front.
⮚ Examples

This computer model operates least efficiently.