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Introduction to Adverbs
Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often describe how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.
The Role of Adverbs
Adverbs provide extra information about an action or quality. They explain how (e.g., quickly), when (e.g., now), where (e.g., here), or to what extent (e.g., very) something occurs.
Type of Adverbs
Type of Adverb
Examples
Sentence
Adverbs of Manner
quickly, slowly, carefully
She runs quickly to catch the bus.
Adverbs of Time
now, yesterday, soon
We will meet tomorrow at noon.
Adverbs of Place
here, there, everywhere
The kids are playing outside.
Adverbs of Frequency
always, often, never
He never eats breakfast in the morning.
Adverbs of Degree
very, too, quite
The movie was very interesting.
Forming Adverbs
1. Turning Adjectives into Adverbs
Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives.
    Examples
  • happy → happily
  • slow → slowly
  • careful → carefully
2. Irregular Adverbs
Some adverbs do not follow the standard rule and have irregular forms.
    Examples
  • good → well
  • fast → fast (remains the same)
  • hard → hard (remains the same)
Position of Adverbs
    Beginning:
  • Adverbs can be placed at the start of a sentence for emphasis.
  • Example: Quickly, she finished her homework.
    Middle:
  • Adverbs can appear before the main verb or after the auxiliary verb.
  • Example: She often goes to the gym.
    End:
  • Adverbs can also be placed at the end of a sentence, often providing additional context.
  • Example: They completed the project successfully.
Comparative and Superlative Adverbs
1. Forming Comparative Adverbs
Comparative adverbs are used to compare two actions. Most adverbs form their comparative by adding "more" before the adverb.
    Examples
  • quickly → more quickly
  • often → more often
2. Forming Superlative Adverbs
Superlative adverbs are used to describe the highest degree of an action among three or more subjects. Most adverbs form their superlative by adding "most" before the adverb.
    Examples
  • quickly → most quickly
  • often → most often
3. Irregular Forms
Some adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms.
    Examples
  • well → better → best
  • badly → worse → worst
Comparative and Superlative
Adverb
Comparative - Superlative
Sentence
quickly
more quickly - most quickly
She ran more quickly than her friend.
often
more often - most often
He visits his parents more often than I do.
well
better - best
She sings better than anyone in the choir.
badly
worse - worst
He behaved the worst in class today.
carefully
more carefully - most carefully
The surgeon worked most carefully during the operation.
frequently
more frequently - most frequently
This question is asked most frequently in interviews.
Adverbs vs. Adjectives
    Adjectives:
  • Adjectives describe or modify nouns or pronouns, providing more information about a person, place, or thing.
  • Example: She is a quick runner. (quick describes the noun runner).
    Adverbs:
  • Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, describing how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.
  • Example: She runs quickly. (quickly describes the verb runs).
Adverbs of Degree and Emphasis
1. Using Adverbs to Modify Verbs, Adjectives, and Other Adverbs
Adverbs of degree modify the intensity of verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, showing how much or to what extent something happens.
    Examples
  • Modifying verbs: She completely forgot about the meeting.
  • Modifying adjectives: The movie was very interesting.
  • Modifying other adverbs: He runs quite quickly.
2. Adverbs for Emphasis
Adverbs for emphasis make statements stronger or more forceful by increasing the degree of intensity.
    Examples
  • Extremely: She is extremely talented.
  • Absolutely: The presentation was absolutely brilliant.
  • Completely: He was completely exhausted after the marathon.