What Are Adverbs?

What Are Adverbs? Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

• Adverbs tell how, when, where, or to what extent about the word it modifies. • Liz ran swiftly. (Swiftly tells how she ran)

• Adverbs tell how, when, where, or to what extent about the word it modifies. • The Washington County Dog Show begins tomorrow. (Tomorrow tells when the show begins.)

• Adverbs tell how, when, where, or to what extent about the word it modifies. • Three carpenters are working upstairs. (Upstairs tells where the carpenters are working.)

• Adverbs tell how, when, where, or to what extent about the word it modifies. • My sand sculpture is nearly finished. (Nearly tells to what extent the sand sculpture is finished.)

• Many adverbs are formed by adding the ending ly to adjectives. • Examples: • slowly • quickly • extremely • usually

Pick out the adverbs in the following sentences. • 1. Some early settlers nearly died from cold and hunger. • nearly • 2. The Challenger suddenly exploded in midair. • suddenly

• 3. Charles Goodyear accidently dropped rubber onto a hot stove. • accidently • 4. Some homeless people sleep outside on park benches. • outside • 5. Imagine flying away to a distant planet! • away • 6. Now people are taking steps to preserve the earth’s resources. • now

• 7. Jane Adams was a very dovoted social worker. • very • 8. The gold miners headed north to Alaska. • north • 9. Mozart’s interest in music began early. • early • 10. Wonder Woman often used her magic lasso to capture villians. • often