What is an adverb?
Adverbs are words that modify or describe verbs (“he sleeps soundly“), adjectives (“she’s fiercely competitive”), other adverbs (“she writes quite meticulously”). Occasionally, adverbs even modify phrases and complete sentences (when they’re used at the start of the sentence).
He spoke very confidently.
The cake is incredibly delicious.
She sings beautiful.
They quick finished the race.
Adverbs (explained + examples)
- She drives carelessly.
- It’s extremely sweet.
- She writes quite thoughtfully.
tma
The first sentence tells us the manner or way in which she drives, which is a verb.
‘Extremely‘, from the second example, says to what extent or degree that thing has the quality of being sweet (an adjective). ‘Quite‘ says how far or the extent to which she writes thoughtfully (which is another adverb).
Besides modifying adverbs, verbs and adjectives, adverbs can also modify phrases within a sentence, or complete sentences (when they start off the sentence, in the latter case).
- Complete sentence: Fortunately, I had brought an umbrella. [or, ‘I had fortunately brought an umbrella.’]
- Phrase: Have you read all through this book?
Some adverbs belong to more than one kind or class. For example, far can be an adverb of place or of degree, depending on the context in which we use it.
- Place: Don’t wander far.
- Degree: he’s far better off now that he works for another company.
Types of adverbs (with examples)
There are 7 main types of adverbs altogether, which are grouped according to their meaning:
| types of adverbs + usage | Used in sentences |
| 1. Adverbs of time (show when) | She just called a few minutes ago.
I’ve heard this before. |
| 2. Adverbs of frequency (how often) | I’ve told you twice.
They seldom show up for gatherings these days. |
| 3. Adverbs of place (where) | Go there.
Stand here. |
| 4. Adverbs of manner (how or in what way) | The boy works hard.
The team played fairly. |
| 5. Adverbs of degree or quantity (the extent or degree) | She sings pretty well.
He was too careless. |
| 6. Affirmative and negative (confirms or denies) | He was positively enamoured by her.
Femke was in no condition to demand anything. |
| 7. Adverbs of reason (answers why or explains) | She left early because she wanted to avoid traffic.
I don’t eat meat because I’m a vegetarian. |
Formation of adverbs
Almost all manner adverbs are formed from their adjective counterparts and end in –ly. They likewise use the same corresponding comparative and superlative forms, as you can see below, ending in –er and –est.
| simple | comparative | superlative |
| fast | faster | fastest |
| hard | harder | hardest |
| soon | sooner | soonest |
Those ending in –ly add ‘more‘ before to turn to a comparative, and ‘most‘ to form a superlative:
| simple | comparative | superlative |
| quietly | more quietly | most quietly |
| slowly | more slowly | most slowly |
| seriously | more seriously | most seriously |
Some use their own forms entirely, and are to that extent we say they’re ‘irregular’.
| simple | comparative | superlative |
| ill or badly | worse | worst |
| well | better | best |
| much | more | most |
| little | less | least |
| near | nearer | nearest |
| far | farther/further | farthest/furthest |
Adverbs, visualize them modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Use examples like “runs quickly,” “very happy,” or “writes thoughtfully.”.
List of adverbs (by type)
| Types of adverb | examples |
|---|---|
| time | soon, now, later, then, tomorrow, today, day after tomorrow, everyday, weekly, annually, quarterly, yearly, yesterday, last month, tonight, last week, immediately. |
| degree | really, too, very, strongly, highly, incredibly, quite, extremely, remarkably, almost, completely, fully, pretty, unusually. |
| manner | quickly, carefully, gently, softly, loudly, quickly. |
| place | everywhere, inside, outside, above, below, here, away. |
| frequency | frequently, never, hardly, usually, seldom, hourly, rarely, sometimes, daily. |
| reason | therefore, thus, consequently, hence, so, accordingly, because. |
| affirmative/ negative | clearly, rarely, certainly, hardly, surely. |
Interrogative adverbs
When we use adverbs to ask questions, we use them interrogatively (or as interrogative adverbs):
| Examples: interrogative adverbs |
| Where is Sam?
When did you get here? How many questions did you get right? |
In review: adverbs in grammar
Definition: Adverbs are words that modify or adds to the meaning of a verb, adjective or another adverb.
Learn the other parts of speech
- What Are Pronouns? (First, Second, and Third)
- Types of Verbs (Modal, Stative, Infinitives and Transitives)
- Types of Adjectives (Explained, with Examples)
- Parts of Speech (Nouns, Adjectives, Prepositions)
- When to Use ‘A’ or ‘An’ (What’s an Article?)
- Types of Nouns (Common, Proper, Abstract, and Concrete)
Sources
- High School Grammar and Composition, P.C. Wren.
Work Sheet
According to the blog post, which of the following does an adverb modify?
What common mistake does the post warn against?
In the example “she writes quite meticulously,” what part of speech is being modified by the adverb “quite”?
According to the post, when can an adverb modify a complete sentence?
Which type of adverb is typically formed from an adjective and ends in “-ly”?
Complete the sentence from the post: “The boy works _____.”
Complete the sentence from the post using an adverb of reason: “She left early _____ she wanted to avoid traffic.”
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb to modify the verb “sings”, correcting a common mistake shown in the post: “She sings _____.”
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb to modify the verb “finished”, correcting a common mistake shown in the post: “They _____ finished the race.”
Complete the sentence from the post using an adverb of place: “Go _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are adverbs used for?
+
What do adverbs modify?
+
How are adverbs formed?
+
Why is ‘she sings beautiful’ wrong?
+
Can adverbs be different types?
+
Yash, D. "What’s an Adverb? (Types of Adverbs)." Grammarflex, Jun 15, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-an-adverb-types-of-adverbs/.
