WHAT IS AN ADVERB? [ADVERB DEFINITION]

WHAT IS AN ADVERB?

The most simple way to describe an adverb is that it is a word which can modify a verb, in other words describe it, for example ‘she runs quickly.’ The verb in this sentence is “runs”, and this has been modified with the adverb quickly. They may also modify an adjective to add further information, such as ‘he is quite fat.” In this sentence, the adjective fat has been modified by the adverb quite. Finally, an adverb can be used to modify an entire sentence, for example ‘Luckily, I had enough money.’ In this example, we see that the adverb luckily modifies the rest of the sentence in its entirety.

For the most part, an adverb will end in the letters -ly, however there are some exceptions to this such as the word fast, this appears exactly as the adjective counterpart for the word but serves as an adverb.

This is a fast car

This car can drive fast.

In the first sentence, the word fast is being used as an adjective, however in the second, it is being used as an adverb. Let’s take a look at some further examples of adverbs within a sentence.

My sister swims badly.

The soccer match ended quickly.

Fortunately, my friends were not late to my birthday party.

Generally, what is an adverb? An adverb is a part of speech used to describe a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It tells us how, where, when, how much and with what frequency.

Adverb Definition

The most simple way to describe an adverb is that it is a word which can modify a verb, in other words describe it, for example ‘she runs quickly.’ The verb in this sentence is “runs”, and this has been modified with the adverb quickly. They may also modify an adjective to add further information, such as ‘he is quite fat.” In this sentence, the adjective fat has been modified by the adverb quite. Finally, an adverb can be used to modify an entire sentence, for example ‘Luckily, I had enough money.’ In this example, we see that the adverb luckily modifies the rest of the sentence in its entirety.

For the most part, an adverb will end in the letters -ly, however there are some exceptions to this such as the word fast, this appears exactly as the adjective counterpart for the word but serves as an adverb.

This is a fast car

This car can drive fast.

In the first sentence, the word fast is being used as an adjective, however in the second, it is being used as an adverb. Let’s take a look at some further examples of adverbs within a sentence.

My sister swims badly.

The soccer match ended quickly.

Fortunately, my friends were not late to my birthday party.

Generally, what is an adverb? An adverb is a part of speech used to describe a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It tells us how, where, when, how much and with what frequency.