An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Fast, slowly, very, well. Adverbs answer the questions how, where, when, and to what degree. Adverbs should not be used to modify nouns. For a broader look at modifiers, check out our guide on uses and kinds of adjective.
What Are the Kinds of Adverb?
An adverb of manner answers the question how?
He writes neatly.
My cousin works hard.
An adverb of time answers the question when?
She is coming tomorrow.
Please deliver our magazine now.
An adverb of place answers the question where?
Let us meet in the restaurant.
Here is the book you are looking for.
An adverb of frequency answers the question how often?
He writes to him regularly.
He visits me every month.
An adverb of degree answers the questions how much, how small, how long, to what extent, etc. These kinds of adverbs usually modify adjectives or other adverbs.
The painting is almost finished.
The mango is very sweet.
An interrogative adverb asks a question.
Where are you now?
How many times have you read the English Grammar Book?
Adverb Exercises and Practice
Exercise 1: Change the following adjectives to adverbs
| 1. Careful | 6. Slow |
| 2. Fast | 7. Merry |
| 3. Weak | 8. Graceful |
| 4. Easy | 9. Quick |
| 5. Neat | 10. Quiet |
Show answer
1. carefully 2. fast 3. weakly 4. easily 5. neatly
6. slowly 7. merrily 8. gracefully 9. quickly 10. quietly
Exercise 2: Complete the sentence by choosing the appropriate adverb.
| in the crib | in the park | under the table |
| in the playground | in the library | everywhere |
1. The children are ________.
Show answer
in the playground (in the park also fits)
2. The students are researching ________.
Show answer
in the library
3. Noise and dirt are ________.
Show answer
everywhere
4. The baby lies ________.
Show answer
in the crib
5. The cat sleeps ________.
Show answer
under the table
Sample answers shown; the word bank has one extra option.
Degree of Comparison in Adverbs
Like adjectives, adverbs can be used to compare. The three degrees of comparison are: positive, comparative, superlative.
- A few adverbs form the comparative degree by adding er to the positive degree, and the superlative degree by adding est.
- Most adverbs are compared by placing the words more or less before the positive form for the comparative degree, and most or least for the superlative degree.
- Like adjectives, a few adverbs are compared irregularly.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| abruptly | more abruptly | most abruptly |
| awkwardly | less awkwardly | least awkwardly |
| carefully | more carefully | most carefully |
| discreetly | more discreetly | most discreetly |
| efficiently | less efficiently | least efficiently |
| fast | faster | fastest |
| far | farther | farthest |
| far | further | furthest |
| favorably | less favorably | least favorably |
| gratefully | less gratefully | least gratefully |
| hard | harder | hardest |
| late | later | latest |
| near | nearer | nearest |
| quick | quicker | quickest |
| slow | slower | slowest |
| soon | sooner | soonest |
Adverbs That Are Not Compared
Some adverbs are not compared. The following adverbs cannot be used in the comparative or superlative degrees.
| before | ever | here |
| never | no | that |
| now | so | then |
| there | thus | too |
| very | past | yes |
| by | back | whenever |
Key Takeaways
- An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
- Adverbs answer the questions how, where, when, and to what degree.
- Adverbs should not be used to modify nouns.
- Adverbs can be compared in positive, comparative, and superlative degrees, while some adverbs cannot be compared at all.
Quick Practice
Write your answers to the exercises in the comments below:
1. Change the adjective “Careful” into its corresponding adverb.
Show answer
carefully
2. Complete the sentence: “The cat sleeps _______.”
Show answer
under the table (other places also fit)
FAQ
What is an adverb of manner?
An adverb of manner answers the question “how?” regarding an action, such as writing neatly or working hard.
Can all adverbs be compared?
No, some adverbs such as before, ever, here, and never cannot be used in comparative or superlative degrees.
What does an adverb modify?
An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, but it should not be used to modify nouns.
Master English Grammar in 30 Days
Browse all 30 lessons
- Day 1 Grammar Lesson
- Parts of Speech Lesson
- Pronoun Classification
- Pronoun with Examples
- Verbs Lesson
- Tenses of Verbs
- Six Tenses of Verb
- Progressive Forms of Verbs
- Group of Verbs
- Subject-Verb Rules
- Active and Passive Voice
- Agreement of Subject and Verb
- Special Cases of Agreement
- Complements Lesson
- Prepositions Lesson
- Cases of Nouns and Pronouns
- Uses and Kinds of Adjective
- Adjectives have Comparison
- Kinds of Adverb
- Preposition and Prepositional Phrase
- Conjunction with Charts
- Clauses Lesson
- Adjective Clauses Lesson
- Classifying Sentences Based on Clauses
- Verbals Lesson
- Verbal Analogy Tests
- Gerund and Split Infinitive
- Punctuation Rules
- More About Punctuation
- List of Troublesome Words
More Lessons to Try
Continue improving your English grammar and writing skills with these related lessons:
- Uses and Kinds of Adjective
- Adjective Clauses
- Adjectives have Comparison
- Agreement of Subject and Verb
- Cases of Nouns and Pronouns
- Explore All Grammar Lessons on english-grammarblog.blogspot.com
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