Adverb

An adverb is a word like tomorrow, slowly, happily, once, soon, here and elsewhere.

An adverb usually modifies a verb or a verb phrase and provides information about the manner, time, place or circumstances of the activity or state denoted by the verb or verb phrase. It can also modify an adjective or another adverb.

• He walked slowly. (The adverb slowly modifies the verb walked.)
• He spoke quite loudly. (The adverb quite modifies the adverb loudly.)
• It was a very delightful function. (The adverb very modifies the adjective delightful.)

There are many kinds of adverbs with different functions. A manner adverb says something about the manner in which an action is performed. Most of these end in –ly, but a few don’t.

• She sang badly.
• We will have to think quickly.
• Susie drives too fast.

Most adverbs of manner can be modified by degree modifiers like very, rather, quite and too.

• She walked very slowly.
• Susie drives too fast.

Most adverbs of manner can also be compared with more and most.

• Do it more carefully.

A time adverb says something about the time of an action.

Examples are: yesterday, tomorrow, once, soon, always, never etc.

A place adverb says something about the location or direction of an action.

Examples are: here, somewhere, elsewhere, uphill, ahead etc.