What is an Adverb?

Definition:

An adverb is a part of speech that modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. 

Adverbs that modify Verb:

Examples:

• Rekha studies sincerely. 
• He works hard.
• They shouted loudly.
• It was arranged beautifully.
• The boy is walking slowly.
• Please, enter it carefully.
• He is behaving rudely.

Adverbs that modify Adjective:

Examples:

• Rekha is a very sincere student.
• This topic is extremely important.
• They are really talented.
• This picnic spot is so attractive.
• They are rarely careful.
• The weather is too hot.
• This software is totally useless.

Adverbs that modify another Adverb:

Examples:

• Rekha studies very sincerely. 
• The flowers were arranged highly artistically.
• He works really hard.
• Ashwini runs extremely fast.
• She speaks so rudely.
• These picnic spots are surprisingly far. 
• She sings quite melodiously.

Sometimes, the Adverbs also modify the whole sentence:

The adverbs that modify the entire sentence are called Sentence Adverbs.

Examples:

• Fortunately, admissions are still open.
• Probably, he will write the story next month.
• Unfortunately, he missed the interview.
• Generally, students who work hard will get good grades.
• Certainly, she is right.

Adverb Phrase and Adverb Clause

The Adverb Phrase and the Adverb Clause also function like Adverbs and modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

Adverb Phrase – As a modifier

An Adverb Phrase is a group of two or more words that functions as a modifier like an adverb. This means it modifies the meaning of an adjective, a verb or another adverb.

Most of the Adverb Phrases begin with a preposition and answer the question of ‘How’, ‘Where’, ‘Why’ or ‘When’

Examples:

• They did everything with care.
• He replied with full confidence.
• He accepted the proposal somewhat hesitantly.
• You have to handle the youth with patience.
• The children are enjoying the circus sitting in the front row.
• Jim loves to travel around the world.
• He lived in North India.
• You can buy them online for a cheaper price.
• He decided to continue in the same job to get the incentive.
• Let’s conclude the discussion to end the controversy.
• Can you call me this evening?
• The farmers are hurrying to finish the work before sunset.
• After some time, I shall call you.
• Leave the place as soon as possible.

Adverb Clause – As a modifier

An Adverb Clause is a group of words that functions as a modifier like an adverb. This means it modifies the meaning of an adjective, a verb or another adverb.

This clause answers the question of ‘When’, ‘Where’, ‘How, ‘To what extent’, or ‘Under what conditions’.

This clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Some of the subordinating conjunctions include: After, although, as, as long as, as soon as, because, before, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, wherever, where, while.

Examples:

• I was so surprised when I saw my friend at the station.
• All the students kept quiet after she had started the lesson.
• My friend will come to the place where we met yesterday.
• Although he studied well, he failed in the exam 
• He did not attend the meeting because he was ill.
• I saw her while I was going to college.
• If he helps me, I can surely help him.
• Unless you run fast, you can not catch the train.

Note:

All the words that end in ‘-ly’ are not adverbs

Most of the adverbs end in ‘-ly.’  We generally make these adverbs by adding ‘-ly’ to adjectives.

But all the words that end in ‘-ly’ are not adverbs. Some adjectives also end in ‘-ly’. 

Find the words that end in ‘-ly’ and used as adjectives in the following sentences.

For example: 

• The rose is a lovely flower. 
• He is a friendly man.  
• He is not single.  But he feels lonely.
• This is an ugly painting my brother has ever painted.
• The festivals are holy days for all religious people.