What Is an Adverb?

Many people are uncertain about the purpose of an adverb. As a result, grammatical mistakes get made. In fact, adjective and adverb errors are so common, you may come across them every day and not even be aware that you are hearing one.

Defining an Adverb

An adverb is a descriptive word that describes - or modifies, as grammarians put it - a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

• A verb is an action word (jump, run, swim, ski, fish, talk)
• An adjective is a descriptive word that describes a noun (pretty, happy, silly, sunny)
• A noun is a person, place or thing (girl, dog, mom)

It is easy to see how adverb describe, or modify, verbs, since they simply explain most about the action. For example:

• He quickly runs
• She slowly walks
• He happily chatters

Adverbs can also describe adjectives or other adverbs. They provide more information about that other descriptive word.  For example:

• He very quickly runs. In this sentence, quickly is an adverb describing the word runs. Very is another adverb, this time describing the word quickly.

• The very pretty girl sat down. In this sentence, pretty is an adjective describing the noun girl. Very is an adverb describing the adjective pretty.

Identifying an Adverb

You can tell whether or not a word is an adverb by considering its function in the sentence. If it is describing one of those three parts of speech- a verb, adjective or other adverb- it is an adverb.

You can also tell whether something is an adverb by looking at the ending of the word. A lot of adverbs - not all, but a lot - end in “ly.” For example, happily, quickly, speedily, steadily, foolishly, and angrily are all adverbs. So, if you said:

• He happily runs.

You can tell that happily is an adverb because it is describing the word runs and because it ends in ly.

Many frequency words are adverbs as well. For example, very, much, more and many can all be adverbs.

• The very pretty girl was in the car.
• The much smarter boy won the race.

Common Errors With Adverbs and Adjectives

People often mistakenly use adjectives when they should use an adverb and vice versa. For example, a sentence that reads:

• He behaved very bad on the field trip.

Is incorrect, because bad is modifying or describing behaved, which is a verb. It should read

• He behaved very badly.

On the other hand, if you said:

• His behavior is bad.

That would be correct, because in this case, the word bad is an adjective describing the noun behavior. 

Good and Well

Confusing adverbs and adjectives is a common error with the words good and well.

• Good is an adjective that should modify nouns (the good boy).
• Well is an adverb that modifies a verb (he listens well), or even an adjective (the well educated boy).

To practice, identify the adverb in each of the following sentences.

1. Jim will miss the many wonderful people at work.
2. Joe walked slowly and steadily up the hill.
3. Becky ate quickly and then felt silk.
4. Joe is very late.
5. Clark wanted to be the great big house.

Answers:

1. Jim will miss the many wonderful people at work. Many is the adverb, which modifies the adjective wonderful, which modifies the noun people.
2. Joe walked slowly and steadily up the hill. Slowly and steadily are both adverbs here, describing the way Joe walked.
3. Becky ate quickly and then felt silk. Quickly is the adverb here, modifying the verb ate.
4. Joe is very late. Very is an adverb modifying late which is an adjective modifying Joe.
5. Clark wanted to be the great big house. Great is an adverb modifying big which is an adjective modifying house.

Now that you know what an adverb is, you will be able to avoid making adjective/adverb mistakes, and you’ll be able to properly describe all of your actions from here on out. Now, go and happily brag to your friends all about your new knowledge.