Adverbs

What is an adverb?

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

Adverbs often end with the suffix – ly.

• quickly ran• extremely small• really blonde hair

• Not ALL adverbs end in –ly and not all words that end in –ly are adverbs.

Adverbs may come before, after, or between the words they modify.

Examples:

• He slowly creeps down the stairs. (slowly modifies the verb creeps)

• I can truly imagine that story. (truly modifies verb phrase can imagine)

• Close the door immediately. (immediately modifies verb close)

We use adverbs to:

•give more information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, and to make our writing more interesting.

When an adverb modifies a verb:

• quickly gathers• briefly explains• often goes• extremely fast

When an adverb modifies an adjective:

• really cute• extremely tall• too long• very young

When an adverb modifies another adverb:

• very quickly• so rapidly• almost always

In a sentence, an adverb tells:

• Where? • When? • How? • How often? • How long? • To what extent? • How much?

Where?

Word examples - here, there, away, up, outside

Come here!

Put the package there. Just go away.

When?

Word examples:now, then, later, after, soon, ago

• Let’s go now.

• I will call you later.

How?

Word examples - easily, quickly, slowly

• I shut the door softly.

• She easily cooked the meal.

How often? or How long?Word examples - never, frequently,

always, often, usually

• He always brushes his teeth.

• I do not usually lie.

To What Extent? orHow much?

Word examples - very, hardly, really, most, nearly

She is a very smart girl.

I really love you.

The word not is always an adverb.

Adverb Phrases

• An adverb phrase is a prepositional phrase used to modify a verb, adjective, or adverb.

• It tells where or when.

• We walk along the lake every Saturday.

• We walk along the lake every Saturday.

along the lake tells us where we walk

• After swimming lessons, Aunt Kate drove us home.

• After swimming lessons, Aunt Kate drove us home.

• After swimming lessons tells us when the drove us

TOTD1. She will quietly tiptoe from the stage.

2. Panama City Beach definitely gives tourists the feel of beach life.

3. Another very popular hobby is skateboarding.

4. I never complain to my teacher.

5. Nearby, the woman designs beautiful candlesticks.

6. The country later became an independent republic.

7. My neighbor is usually in the yard.

Checkpoint

1. Softly, I shut my door.2. Carrie always reads science

fiction novels.3. An owl hooted very late last night.4. He sarcastically commented to

the teacher.5. The lemonade was too sour.6. Josh actually hates cats.7. I am not going to the store.