Adverbs in English Grammar

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs usually end in -ly (slowly), -way (anyway) or - wise (likewise).

Adverbs are in bold in the sentences below, and the italic words represent a verb, an adjective and an adverb.

• The coach slowly moved around the Arc de Triomphe; this is where most accidents take place.

• A very fast car drove around the Arc de Triomphe.

• She ran very fast.

Notice above the word “fast” can serve as an adjective or an adverb.

Watch out for the words “quite” and “quiet”.

The chair is quite comfortable. Quite here (means completely) is an adverb that modifies the adjective comfortable. Quiet means free from noise.

One should avoid the double negative. Some examples of negative adverbs are: never, rarely and seldom.

Wrong: He is humming so noisily that she can’t hardly study.

Right: He is humming so noisily that she can hardly study.

Use the present tense with the adverbs of frequency. Adverbs of frequency are often, usually, seldom… They often go to the cinema.

Prepositional Phrase (Adverb phrase):

My son climbed up the mountain to admire the fall foliage.

“up” is a preposition and “up the mountain” is a prepositional phrase (adverb phrase) that modifies the verb “climbed”.

Selected Reference:

Shrives, C. (2019). Smashing grammar: A guide to improving your writing skills and avoiding common mistakes: Kyle Books.