Adverbs [Butte.edu] Flashcards
Adverbs part 1
ADVERBS
.
.
.
An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
.
.
An adverb usually modifies by telling how, when, where, why, under what conditions, or to what degree.
.
.
An adverb is often formed by adding “-ly” to an adjective.
.
.
Conjunctive adverbs form a separate category because they serve as both conjunctions (they connect) and adverbs (they modify).
.
.
Groups of words can also function as adverb phrases or adverb clauses.
(In the examples below, the adverb is in bold and the modified word is underlined.)
” = “bold”
> = >underline<
Adverbs part 2
1.An adverb can modify a verb.
.
.
-The girls >ran< “quickly” but “happily” through the puddle.
.
.
(The adverbs “quickly” and
“happily” modify the verb ran by telling how.)
.
.
->Go< to the administration office “first”, and “then” >come< to class.
(The adverb “first” modifies the verb “go”, and the adverb” then” modifies the verb “come”.
Both modify the verbs by telling when.)
-They are >moving< her office “upstairs”.
(The adverb “upstairs” modifies the verb”moving”by telling where.)
Adverbs part 3
- An adverb can modify an adjective. The adverb usually clarifies the degree or intensity of the adjective.
.
.
.
-Maria was “almost” >finished<
when they brought her an
“exceptionally” >delicious< dessert.
.
.
(The adverb “almost” modifies the adjective “finished” and
“exceptionally” modifies “delicious” by describing the degree or intensity of the adjectives.)
.
.
-He was “very” >happy< about being “so” >good< at such an “extremely” >challenging< sport.
.
.
(The adverb “very” modifies the
adjective “happy”, “so” modifies
“good”, and “extremely” modifies
“challenging” by describing the degree or intensity of the adjectives.)
.
.
-Students are “often” >entertained< and “sometimes” >confused<, but “never” >bored< in that class.
.
.
(The adverb “often” modifies the adjective “entertained”,
“sometimes” modifies “confused”, and “never” modifies “bored” by describing the degree or intensity of the adjectives.)
Adverbs part 4
3.An adverb can modify another adverb. The modifying adverb usually clarifies the degree or intensity of the adverb.
.
.
.
-Eating her lunch “somewhat” >cautiously<, Carolyn tried to ignore the commotion.
.
.
(The adverb “somewhat” modifies the adverb “cautiously” by telling to what degree.)
.
.
-Stan can discuss the English language “very” >thoroughly<.
.
.
(The adverb “very” modifies the adverb “thoroughly” by telling to what degree.)
.
.
-Even in the other room, Vickilee was”never” >completely< unaware of the crying kittens.
.
.
(The adverb “never” modifies the adverb “completely” by telling to what degree.)
Adverbs part 5
“Additional Notes on Adverbs”
.
.
.
In addition to the rules that apply to the use of adverbs, the following points further discuss their formation and function.
.
.
●Adverbs are often made by adding “-ly” to an adjective.
.
.
adjective: “slow” adverb: “slowly”
adjective: “deep” adverb: “deeply”
adjective: “fair” adverb: “fairly”
.
.
.
ØHowever, not all words that end in “-ly” are adverbs!
nouns: “family”, “homily”, “rally”,
“lily”
adjectives: “friendly”, “worldly”,
“lovely”, “sly”
.
.
.
●Some common adverbs do not originate from adjectives.
“very”
“quite”
“only”
“so”
.
.
Some adverbs modify by negating a statement.
These are referred to as “negative adverbs”.
.
.
“hardly”
“never”
“no”
“not”
“scarcely”
.
.
ØWhen using negative adverbs, be careful to avoid a double negative.
(Incorrect double negative)
He can’t hardly understand the words of the speaker.
(Correct)
He can hardly understand the words of the speaker.
.
.
.
(See TIP Sheet “Avoiding Modifier Problems” regarding “limiters” for further information on negative adverbs.)
.
.
.
●In order to form the comparative or superlative forms of adverbs, add the ending of “-er” or “-est” to certain adverbs of only one syllable
(“fast”, “faster”, “fastest”).
However, all adverbs which end in “-ly” and most adverbs of more than one syllable form the comparative and superlative with the addition of “more”or “most”.
Todd drives “faster” than I do, but I get there “sooner” and
“more efficiently” by taking a “shorter” route.
Amy drives “most slowly” of all of us.
Adverb part 6
Conjunctive Adverbs
.
.
.
Words that function as adverbs (telling how, when, where, why, under what conditions, or to what degree) and which also function as conjunctions (joining grammatical parts) are called conjunctive adverbs.
.
.
.
●Conjunctive adverbs
-accordingly finally likewise
-similarly also furthermore
-meanwhile specifically
-anyway hence moreover
-still besides however
-nevertheless subsequently
-certainly incidentally next
-then consequently indeed
-nonetheless therefore
-conversely instead
-otherwise thus
.
.
.
Conjunctive adverbs join and create transitions between independent clauses.
.
.
A conjunctive adverb may begin a sentence and is often followed by a comma.
.
.
When place between independent clauses, a conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon and is usually followed by a comma.
.
.
-Her husband is a rice farmer; “consequently”, these days he is busy from sunrise until nightfall.
-“Nevertheless”, he is still home every night to read his sons a story.
Adverb part 7
Adverb Phrases and Adverb Clauses
.
.
.
.
Sometimes groups of words function together to form an adverb phrase or adverb clause.
.
.
.
●Adverb prepositional phrase
-The puppy is >sleeping< “under my desk”.
(“Under my desk” is a prepositional phrase that functions as an adverb because it modifies the verb “sleeping” by telling where.)
.
.
.
●Adverb infinitive phrase
-“To prevent the theft of your food”, >use< a locked cabinet to store your camp supplies.
(“To prevent the theft of your food” is an infinitive phrase that functions as an adverb because it modifies the verb “use” by telling why.)
.
.
.
●Adverb dependent clause
-Marco >departed< “before the storm arrived”
(“Before the storm arrived” is a dependent clause that modifies the verb “departed” by telling when.)
