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An Adverb is a word which modifies or adds to the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Adverbs are used to define verbs.

  • The house is partly built.
  • The computer is working slowly today.

Adverbs can be used to define adjectives.

  • The company __ _______ works for is generally successful.
  • There are a lot of people in the world that are shockingly materialistic.
  • The floor was always uneven, it has to be fixed.

Adverbs are used to clarify other adverbs.

  • The test was really hard today.
  • The trains came incredibly quickly today, I was so luckey.

Adverbs can answer questions such as How? What? When? Where? and What?

  • My mother always listens to the radio.
  • I have to study today.
  • People should exercise carefully.
  • The students and teachers work closely together on the project.
  • The kids are playing ball approximately10 meters from the house.
  • There are many people living closely together in the city.

Adverbs can come before the subject.

  • Occasionally , we go out for dinner.
  • Sometimes, our teacher doesn't give us homework.

Adverbs can be placed between the subject and the main verb.

  • The bus slowly moves thought the street.
  • The dog quickly runs .

Adverbs can come after the verb.

  • The people are treating me nicely.
  • The runners ran the race quickly.


Adverbs are used to define verbs.
Adverbs can be used to define adjectives.
Adverbs are used to clarify other adverbs.
Adverbs can answer questions such as How? What? When? Where? and What?
Adverbs can come before the subject.
Adverbs can be placed between the subject and the main verb.
Adverbs can come after the verb.

Most of adjectives can be converted to adverbs, just adding -ly, to the end of the adjective.

Adverbs as modifiers (adverbs in adverbial functions)
An adverb modifies a verb He walked quickly. ('quickly' modifies verb 'walked')
I accepted new task willingly. ('willingly' modifies verb 'accepted')
Mike snored melodically. ('melodically' modifies verb 'snored')

An adverb modifies an adjective
They were really unhappy. ('really' modifies adjective 'unhappy')
My brother is completely fearless. ('completely' modifies adjective 'fearless')
I know she is very careful. ('very' modifies adjective 'careful')

An adverb modifies an adverb
He is almost always hungry. ('almost' modifies adverb 'always')
John plays tennis very well. ('very' modifies adverb 'well')
You never can work too carefully. ('too' modifies adverb 'carefully')

An adverb modifies a clause
Perhaps you are correct, but not at first glance. ('perhaps' modifies clause 'you are correct')
Surely he will be on time, but I hope not. ('surely' modifies clause 'he will be on time')

An adverb modifies a sentence
Suddenly, she went home. ('suddenly' modifies a whole sentence)
Finally, he will be on time. ('finally' modifies a whole sentence)
Today, we can take a vacation.('today' modifies a whole sentence)
Adverb Formation
Adverbs that end in -ly are formed by adding -ly to an adjective, a present participle, or a past participle.
- from an adjective careful - carefully
beautiful - beautiful
fitting - fittingly
- from a present participle
willing - willingly
glowing - glowingly
surprising - surprisingly
- from a past participle
assured - assuredly
affected - affectedly
surprised - surprisedly

When adjective ends in -able or -ible, the adverb is formed by replacing final -e with -y
horrible - horribly
terrible - terribly

When adjective ends in -y, the adverb is formed by replacing final -y with -ily
happy - happily
lucky - luckily

When adjective ends in -ic, the adverb is formed by replacing final -ic with -ically
economic - economically
ironic - ironically
Adverbs Position
Adverbs can be placed anywhere in a sentence.

At the front (prior to the subject) Today we will study adverbs.
Lately, I have had lots of phone calls.

At the center of the sentence (between the subject and the verb)
He seldom goes to movies.
I hardly noticed her.

At the end of the sentence
I learn English slowly.
I study adverbs now.
Adverbs as intensifiers
Adverbs can be used as amplifiers, down toners, or emphasizers.

- as emphasizers. I really like him.
I literally wrecked my car.

- as amplifiers
They completely abandoned the city.
I absolutely refuse to leave.

- as down toners
I somewhat like this movie.
Peter almost quit that job.
Alphabetical listing of 3732 adverbs divided into three lists
http://www.english-the-easy-way.com/Adverbs/Adverbs.htm