Adverbs

An adverb is a word that tells us more about a verb, an adjective or another adverb. Read the following examples.

      a.   Tom was very sleepy.

      b.   She laughed timidly.

      c.   Dia was walking rapidly.

Kinds of Adverbs

A. Adverb of Manner tells us how something is done or happens. These adverbs answer the question ‘how’.

Example: Rita sings beautifully. (The Verb here is ‘sing’ and the Adverb is ‘beautifully’ and the question being asked is: How does she sing?)

Most of the adverbs of manner are formed by adding –ly to the adjectives. Some commonly used adverbs of manner include words like eagerly, anxiously, patiently, quickly, correctly, simply, easily, fast, well, loudly, completely, etc.

Some more examples

The lady grumbled loudly while cleaning the floor.

The boys were seriously injured in the fight.

At the advanced age of 88, she still sang very well.

The mechanic fixed the problem easily.

B. Adverb of Place tells us where something is done or happens. These adverbs answer the question ‘where’.

Example: He kept his keys somewhere. (Here the Verb is ‘kept’ and the Adverb is ‘somewhere’.)

Some commonly used adverbs of place include words like somewhere, here, there, upwards, downwards, in, out, abroad, underground, upstairs, home, anywhere, nowhere, etc.

Some more examples

In spring, flowers bloom everywhere.

They serve hot chocolate fudge there.

I am waiting here for my mom.

She is standing outside.

C. Adverb of Time tells us when something done or happens. These adverbs answer the question ‘when’.

Example: We will leave today. (Here the Verb is ‘leave’ and the Adverb is ‘today’.)

Some commonly used adverbs of time include words like after, already, finally, next, later, last, yesterday, tomorrow, early, immediately, when, while, recently, now, just, during, then, soon, never, before, etc. We use it at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. We use it as a form of emphasis when we place it at the beginning.

Some more examples

She went to the market in the evening.

A five-storey collapsed yesterday.

Last week, we were stuck in the traffic jam for an hour.

D. Adverb of Frequency tells us how often something happens. They answer the question ‘how often’. These Adverbs are used to show the duration or timing of the action that is happening/had happened/will happen.

Example: She likes to watch movie every day. (Here the Verb is ‘watch’ and the Adverb is ‘every day’.)

Some commonly used adverbs of frequency include words like always, rarely, sometimes, often, usually, seldom, occasionally, frequently, yearly  etc.

Some more examples

My grandparents live in Patna. I visit them often.

She watches Tamil films occasionally.

They rarely go for outing. 

He always brush his teeth before he go to bed. 

I have been to Mumbai just once.

I sometimes go for a walk in the nearby park. 

E. Adverb of Degree tells us to show to what extent or how much has an action been done or will be done. They answer the question ‘how much’.

Example: The accident victim nearly died from his injuries. (Here the Verb is ‘died’ and the Adverb is ‘nearly’.)

Some commonly used adverbs of degree include words like almost, entirely, somewhat, very, much, too, rather, nearly, least, yet, completely, partially, fully, etc.

Some more examples

Dia almost finished the work.

She was very impressed with her results. 

It is extremely cold today.

F. Adverb of Reason or purpose tells us why something is done or something has happened. They answer the question ‘why’.

Example: The bus was late, so I missed my meeting. (Here the Verb is ‘missed’ and the Adverb is ‘so’.)

Some commonly used adverbs of reason include words like therefore, so, hence, subsequently, conversely, nevertheless, despite, etc.

Some more examples

I was not well, hence didn’t go to school today.

Lady heard a loud noise; therefore, she called the police.

Because he was sick, he stayed home.