Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs.

Some adverbs are easy to recognize because they end with the suffix “-ly”.

• quickly
• cautiously
• happily
• frequently
• extremely

There are, however, many adverbs that don't follow this pattern. Here are some typical examples:

• First, I ate the coleslaw.
• Then, I ate the turkey.
• Later, I felt sick.
• The next day, I felt better.

Generally, any word or phrase that establishes the time or place where an action takes place can be classified as an adverb. Here are some more examples:

• Mondays, I eat dinner at the club.
• Friday, the letter came.
• Next week, I will cut my hair.
• Last year, I won an award.
• This Friday, Laura can't go out.
• He came yesterday.
• I want it now.
• I fell here.

Furthermore, any word that describes the degree or frequency of something is also probably an adverb. Here are some typical examples:

• The coffee was too hot.
• Mary is very beautiful.
• The movie is quite interesting.
• I don't get enough exercise.
• I often call my mother.
• She seldom cooks dinner.

Lastly, sometimes adverbs tell us the direction that something is moving.

• The ball rolled away.

Simplifying Sentences with Adverbs

Adverbs can always be cancelled or ignored.

Study the followng sentences. Notice how each of them has been simplified by cancelling out all the helping words, adjectives, and adverbs.

Instructions for the Quiz

Answer the questions.