Adverb

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or even an entire sentence. It provides additional information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action is performed or a quality is described. Adverbs add detail and precision to language, helping to paint a clearer picture for the reader or listener. They answer questions like 'how?', 'when?', 'where?', 'why?', and 'to what degree?' by altering the meaning of the words they modify. Adverbs are essential for creating vivid and nuanced writing.

Adverb meaning with examples

• The sprinter ran **quickly** to the finish line. Here, 'quickly' modifies the verb 'ran', describing *how* the action was performed. It adds a sense of speed and urgency to the scene. The adverb 'quickly' helps the reader visualize the intensity of the race and the runner's determination. Without the adverb, the sentence would lack a crucial detail about the manner of running.
• She is wearing a **very** expensive dress. In this instance, 'very' modifies the adjective 'expensive', indicating the *degree* to which the dress is expensive. The adverb intensifies the description of the dress, emphasizing its high cost and potentially luxurious nature. It suggests the dress is not just expensive, but exceptionally so.
• He arrived **late** to the meeting because of traffic. Here, 'late' modifies the verb 'arrived', indicating *when* the action occurred. It conveys a sense of tardiness and implies a potential consequence for his delayed arrival. It specifies when he showed up for the meeting and why he was tardy.
• The movie was **extremely** boring, so I fell asleep. The adverb 'extremely' modifies the adjective 'boring'. It highlights to what *degree* the movie caused boredom. The level of boredom is indicated and adds intensity. It adds to the information about the movie’s boring qualities.
• We must work **hard** to win the game. 'Hard' modifies 'work', describing *how* we must do the work to win. The level of effort is emphasized and tells the reader how much effort should be applied. The word tells about the quality and amount of effort that should be used.