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English Grammar - Adverbs
Adverbs are a fundamental component of English grammar, adding depth and detail to verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. For advanced learners, especially from India, mastering adverbs can significantly enhance both written and spoken English, making expressions more precise and nuanced. This comprehensive guide delves into the various types of adverbs, their functions, and provides numerous examples to ensure thorough understanding.
An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or even an entire sentence. Adverbs often answer questions like how, when, where, why, to what extent, and in what manner.
Examples:
Adverbs can be categorized based on the type of question they answer. Here are the main types:
a. Adverbs of Manner
These adverbs describe how an action is performed.
Examples:
She speaks fluently.
He runs quickly.
The baby slept soundly.
b. Adverbs of Time
These adverbs tell us when an action takes place.
Examples:
She will call you later.
They met yesterday.
The project is due soon.
c. Adverbs of Place
These adverbs indicate where an action occurs.
Examples:
The children are playing outside.
She looked everywhere for her keys.
He lives nearby.
d. Adverbs of Frequency
These adverbs express how often an action occurs.
Examples:
She always arrives on time.
He seldom makes mistakes.
They visit us frequently.
e. Adverbs of Degree
These adverbs indicate the intensity or degree of an action, an adjective, or another adverb.
Examples:
She is extremely intelligent.
The water is quite cold.
He almost missed the train.
f. Adverbs of Certainty
These adverbs express the speaker’s certainty about an action or event.
Examples:
She will definitely come.
He is probably at home.
They will certainly succeed.
g. Interrogative Adverbs
These adverbs are used in questions.
Examples:
Why are you late?
How did you solve the problem?
When will you arrive?
h. Relative Adverbs
These adverbs introduce relative clauses.
Examples:
This is the place where we met.
Do you remember the time when we were young?
That’s the reason why I called.
The placement of adverbs can vary depending on what they are modifying. However, there are some general rules:
a. Adverbs of Manner, Place, and Time
These usually go at the end of the sentence, but can also be placed before the main verb for emphasis.
Examples:
She sings beautifully. (usual position)
She beautifully sings. (emphasis)
b. Adverbs of Frequency
These are often placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs.
Examples:
He always eats breakfast.
They have never been late.
c. Adverbs of Degree
These are usually placed before the adjective or adverb they modify.
Examples:
She is quite tall.
He drives very fast.
A common challenge is distinguishing between adverbs and adjectives. Adjectives modify nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Examples:
Many adverbs are formed by adding “-ly” to adjectives, but there are many exceptions and irregular forms.
Examples:
Adverbs, like adjectives, can have comparative and superlative forms.
Examples:
He runs fast. (positive)
He runs faster. (comparative)
He runs fastest. (superlative)
She sings well. (positive)
She sings better. (comparative)
She sings best. (superlative)
The baby slept ______ through the night.
Correct Answer: b) soundly
Identify the adverb in the following sentence: “She rarely forgets to do her homework.”
Correct Answer: b) rarely
The word “hard” in the sentence “He worked hard all day” is an adverb.
Correct Answer: a) True
She ______ agreed to help with the project.
Correct Answer: a) reluctantly
What type of adverb is “carefully” in the sentence “He carefully reviewed the document”?
Correct Answer: c) Adverb of Manner
In the sentence “She was almost late,” the word “almost” is an adverb of degree.
Correct Answer: a) True
Which adverb best completes the sentence: “They arrived ______ to the meeting”?
Correct Answer: a) early
He writes ______ than his brother.
Correct Answer: c) quicker
Choose the correct adverb to fill in the blank: “She speaks ______ when she is nervous.”
Correct Answer: b) fast
Correct Answer: b) False
Identify the sentence in which the adverb is used correctly.
Correct Answer: c) She sings exceptionally well.
The manager ______ reviewed the proposal to ensure there were no errors.
Correct Answer: a) diligently
In the sentence “The train arrived late, but we still managed to reach on time,” the word “late” is an adverb.
Correct Answer: a) True
Which of the following sentences contains an adverb of degree?
Correct Answer: b) He completely forgot about the meeting.
He spoke ______ so that everyone in the large hall could hear him.
Correct Answer: b) loudly
In the sentence “She answered the questions quite confidently,” the word “confidently” is an adverb of manner.
Correct Answer: a) True
Choose the sentence that contains an adverb of frequency.
Correct Answer: b) He seldom takes a day off.
The weather was ______ cold, so we decided to stay inside.
Correct Answer: b) extremely
In the sentence “He quietly whispered the secret to his friend,” the word “quietly” is an adverb of degree.
Correct Answer: b) False
Which sentence uses an adverb to modify another adverb?
Correct Answer: b) He almost always arrives early.
