Adverbs are often thought of as modifiers for verbs, and this is really the role they usually play in a sentence. Here are some examples:
“The cat crept quietly go downtown.” (quietly is an adverb that modifies the verb sneak)
“I have a stomachache so I run slow.” (Slow is an adverb that modifies the verb ran)
“ARRIVE strongly Go where no one has gone before.” (strongly is an adverb that modifies the verb Go)
However, adverbs can also modify adjectives, other adverbs, phrases, and even sentences. Here are some examples:
“I’m not rather complete.” (Rather is an adverb that modifies the adjective complete)
“Jaguars can run extremely fast.” (extremely is an adverb that modifies the adverb fast)
“She stopped by the store Summary to pick up a few things. (Summary is an adverb that modifies the phrase stop at the store)
“Unfortunately, it will rain on Friday. (Unfortunately is an adverb that modifies the whole sentence.)
It can be helpful to think of adverbs as words that answer certain questions a reader or listener may have.
The train is coming. (Early is an adverb that answers ‘when is the train coming?’)
I like to shop locally. (locally is an adverb that answers ‘where do you like to shop?’)
We are getting along very well. (Great is an adverb that answers the question ‘how do you two get along?’)
It rains constantly in this city. (Continuous is an adverb that answers the question ‘how often does it rain?’)
When they initiate a question, as they do above, when, where and how (Besides Why) is also an adverb!
Most adverbs are formed by adding –glass into an adjective (weird, clumsy, honest), but there are many common adverbs that don’t end in –glassinclude again, also, only, never, often, soon, today, too, very, and well.
Other parts of speech: What is an adjective? What is a noun? What are prepositions? What is a verb?
Other articles you may be interested in: Adverbs: A Most Fascinating POS What is a flat adverb? Should you never use adverbs?
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
