Adverb

An adverb can be added to a verb to modify its meaning. Usually, an adverb tells you when, where, how, in what manner or to what extent an action is performed. Very many adverbs end in '...ly' - particularly those that are used to express how an action is performed. Although many adverbs end 'ly', lots do not, e.g., fast, never, well, very, most, least, more, less, now, far and there.



Examples:

Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf.
(The word 'carefully' is an adverb. It shows how the vase was placed.)

Tara walks gracefully.
(The word 'gracefully' is an adverb. It modifies the verb 'to walk'.)

Types of Adverbs

Although there are thousands of adverbs, each adverb can usually be categorised in one of the following groupings:

Adverbs of Time 

Press the button now.
('now' - adverb of time)

I tell him daily.
('daily' - adverb of time)

Adverbs of Place 

Daisies grow everywhere.
('everywhere' - adverb of place)

I did not put it there.
('there' - adverb of place)

Adverbs of Manner 

He passed the re-sit easily.
('easily' - adverb of manner)

The lion crawled stealthily.
('stealthily' - adverb of manner)

Adverbs of Degree 

That is the farthest I have ever jumped.
('farthest' - adverb of degree)

He boxed more cleverly.
('more cleverly' - adverb of degree and manner.)

Adverbs Can Modify Adjectives and Other Adverbs

Although the term 'adverb' implies that they are only used with verbs, adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs:

Examples:

The heavenly blue light shone on the water.
(The adverb 'heavenly' modifies the adjective 'blue'.)

Peter had an extremely ashen face.
(The adverb 'extremely' modifies the adjective 'ashen'.)