Introduction to Grammar, continued…

ADVERBS
Adverbs describe and modify or change other words, just as adjectives do.
HOWEVER, instead of describing things, they describe actions & qualities.
Adverbs qualify the meanings of verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
For example:
How did the runner run?
How deep was the snow?
How well did the singer sing?
Adverbs have the answers to all these questions!

Example
He played guitar skillfully.
He played guitar dreadfully.
He played guitar passionately.

Features of Adverbs
Many adverbs end in –ly
Adverbs modify
Placement of adverbs
Adverbs and comparisons

Many adverbs end in –ly
Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective.
Ex: lovely, ugly, sadly, happily, briefly, easily, truly.
Warning: -ly ending does not guarantee a word is an adjective!
Adjective -ly Ending Adverb
Quiet + ly = Quietly

HOW?
Is or was it done?
Rules about adverbs:
Use adverbs sparingly b/se they cause wordiness and awkwardness
Beware of words ending in –ly that are not adverbs
Examples: lovely, lonely, ghastly, and worldly
These examples do not answer the question HOW?
These examples are really adjectives!
Always go back to the HOW? Rule
HOW? Is/was it done?

(2) Adverbs Modify
When you use an adverb, you modify or change the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another verb.
Modify verb
Ex: Good drivers turn the corner slowly.
Modify adjective
Ex: Really good drivers turn that corner slowly
Modify adverb
Ex: Good drivers turn that corner very slowly

(3) Placement of Adverbs
Adverbs modifying verbs can usually be moved around in a sentence w/out changing the meaning.
Before verb
Ex: The car immediately stopped.
After verb
Ex: The car stopped immediately.
Adverbs that modify adjectives or other adverbs belong right in the front of the words they modify.
Before adjective
Ex: That’s an extremely dangerous corner for bicycle riders.
Before adverb
Ex: The car turned the corner really quickly.

(4) Adverbs and Comparisons
Regular adverbs
Irregular adverbs