Adverbs in English: The Ultimate Guide

Adverb definition – What is an adverb?

Let’s kick-off this adverbs in English page by explaining what the definition of an adverb is… Am I right in thinking that you were taught that an adverb modifies a verb and ends in ‘ly’? Although this is correct, adverbs go much deeper than that. Adverbs of manner tend to end in ‘ly’, but guess what? There is more than one type of adverb which we’ll go into later.

 

Firstly, they are one of the ‘parts of speech’. Their function is to provide information about how, how often, when, or where something happens. Adverbs can modify adjectives, other adverbs, determiners, clauses, prepositions, verbs or sentences.

A colourful educational graphic explaining adverbs, with a definition in a green box stating that adverbs describe or modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. Surrounding the definition are examples of adverbs like "always," "slowly," "simply," and "badly." A red "Hot Tip" banner at the bottom highlights that adverbs answer questions about when, where, how, how often, and how much something happens.

The function of adverbs is to provide information about how, how often, when, or where something happens.

  • adverbs of frequency – how often the action is performed
  • adverbs of time – when the action is performed
  • adverbs of manner – how the action is performed
  • adverbs of place – where the action is performed
A bright purple educational graphic titled "Adverb Function." It explains that adverbs provide information about how, how often, when, or where something happens. It categorizes adverbs into four types: adverbs of frequency (how often an action is performed), adverbs of time (when an action is performed), adverbs of manner (how an action is performed), and adverbs of place (where an action is performed). A "Hot Tip" at the bottom notes that adverbs of manner usually end in "ly."

FUN FACT: There are over 250 adverbs in English. Some words however are not always used as an adverb (depending on the sentence construction). They can be adjectives, conjunctions, interjections, nouns, prepositions, or pronouns.

adverbs in English examples

Right, let’s start learning adverbs. I’ll kick off with some easy examples:

  • He walks slowly – the adverb ‘slowly’ modifies the verb ‘walk’.
  • He walks very slowly – the adverb ‘very’ modifies the adverb ‘slowly’
  • He is an awfully slow walker – the adverb ‘awfully’ modifies the adjective ‘slow’.
another adverb example showing how adverbs can be used to modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs
  • He plays excellently – the adverb ‘excellently’ modifies the verb ‘play’.
  • He plays incredibly excellent – the adverb ‘incredibly’ modifies the adverb ‘excellently’
  • He is an extremely excellent player – the adverb ‘extremely’ modifies the adjective ‘excellent’.
adverb examples showing how adverbs can be used to modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs

adverbs that modify verbs

You’ve seen some examples of adverbs in use, let’s delve deeper… When an adverb modifies a verb, it usually tells us how, when, where, in what manner, or to what extent the action is performed.

For example:

  • how – He ran quickly.
  • where – He ran there.
  • manner – He ran naked.
  • when – He ran earlier.
  • extent – He ran fastest.
examples of adverbs modifying verbs. how - He ran quickly. where - He ran there. manner - He ran naked. when - He ran earlier. extent - He ran fastest.

So you get the idea. Let’s take a look at a few more examples of adverbs modifying verbs. Remember, verbs are action words.

  • I’m thoroughly cleaning the windows.
    This shows how the windows are cleaned.
  • He finally proposed.
    This shows when he proposed.
adverb examples - adverb sentences modifying verbs
  • He’ll sleep eventually.
    This shows when he’ll sleep.
  • It always snows.
    This shows how often it snows.
Illustration of adverbs modifying verbs with two cartoon-style characters. The left character, looking tired and holding a baby, says, "He’ll sleep eventually," highlighting the adverb "eventually" (modifying "sleep") under the category "when." The right character, dressed in winter clothes and holding a snowball, says, "It always snows," emphasizing the adverb "always" (modifying "snows") under the category "how often." The background is purple with falling snowflakes, a moon, and a "Mingle-ish" logo in the top right corner.
  • I’m waiting patiently for the bus.
    This shows in what manner I am waiting for the bus.
  • I wish I worked outside.
    This shows where I wish I worked.
An educational image explaining how adverbs modify verbs, focusing on "manner" and "where." One character at a bus stop says, "I’m waiting patiently for the bus," demonstrating "manner." Another character at an office desk says, "I wish I worked outside," illustrating "where." The adverbs "patiently" and "outside" are highlighted in blue, while the verbs "waiting" and "worked" are in green.
  • I highly recommend this book.
    This shows to what extent i recommend this book.
  • I’ve looked everywhere for my glasses.
    This shows where I have looked for my glasses.
A digital educational poster explaining adverbs modifying verbs, focusing on "extent" and "where." A character sitting on a sofa says, "I highly recommend this book," demonstrating "extent." Another character looking for glasses says, "I’ve looked everywhere for my glasses," illustrating "where." The adverbs "highly" and "everywhere" are in blue, while the verbs "recommend" and "looked" are in green.

adverbs that modify adjectives

Adverbs can also modify adjectives. The purpose is to add a degree of intensity to the adjective. Let’s take a look at some examples.

adjectives and adverbs - adverbs modifying adjectives examples
adjectives and adverbs - adverbs modifying adjectives examples
adjectives and adverbs - adverbs modifying adjectives examples

adverbs that modify other adverbs

They can also modify other adverbs as seen in the pictures below.

adverbs modifying adverbs example sentences
adverbs modifying adverbs example sentences

different types of adverbs

Now you know what an adverb does and how to spot one. Let’s look a little deeper into the different types of adverbs including:

  • adverbs of frequency
  • adverbs of time
  • adverbs of manner
  • adverbs of place

 

Click on the links below to learn about the different types of adverbs with picture examples.

adverbs of frequency
how often something takes place
adverbs of time
when something takes place
adverbs of manner
how something takes place
adverbs of place
where something takes place

Adverbs make sentences clearer and more interesting by showing how, when, where, or how much something happens. Keep practising, and you’ll use them naturally.

Did you enjoy this page on adverbs in English? Want to keep going on your grammar learning quest? Well, good news – there are plenty more topics to sink your teeth into! Head to my grammar section now and get cracking.