Adverbs

Adverbs are words like tomorrow, daily, badly, once and too. They tell us more about other words, especially verbs.

§  The child smiled sweetly. (The adverb sweetly modifies the verb smiled.)

§  She walked slowly. (The adverb slowly modifies the verb walked.)

§  He talked politely. (The adverb politely modifies the verb talked.)

Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives.

§  It was a very important question. (The adverb very modifies the adjective important.)

§  You are so sweet. (The adverb so modifies the adjective sweet.)

Adverbs can also modify other adverbs.

§  He walked very slowly. (The adverb very modifies the adverb slowly.)

§  She sang extremely well. (The adverb extremely modifies the adverb well.)

Formation of adverbs

Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to their corresponding adjectives. Examples are: kindly (kind), slowly (slow), hardly (hard), sweetly (sweet) etc.

·         She is very beautiful (adjective).

·         She is beautifully (adverb) dressed.

·         He is a strange (adjective) person.

·         He behaved strangely (adverb).