Lesson 165 - Parts of the Sentence - Adverbs

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Adverbs are words that modify (1) verbs, (2) adjectives, and (3) other adverbs. They tell how (manner), when (time), where (place), how much (degree), and why (cause). 

 

Why is a common one-word adverb that tells why. Adverbs that tell us how, when, where, and why always modify the verb. These adverbs can shift location in the sentence without changing meaning or what they modify. Adverbs that tell us how much modify adjectives or other adverbs. Adverbs that tell how much will come just before the adjectives or adverbs that they modify. These adverbs are also called qualifiers because they strengthen or weaken the words they modify. 

 

Examples: 

He kicked the ball solidly. (how)

He kicked the ball immediately. (when)

He kicked the ball forward. (where)

He kicked the ball too hard. (how much)

Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books.

Adverbial objectives or adverbial nouns are nouns used as adverbs. They usually tell amount, weight, time, distance, direction, or value. They can have adjectives modifying them. 

 

Example: 

He waited two days.

Instructions: Find the adverbs in the following sentences and tell what word they modify.

1. This suitcase weighs a ton.

2. The grandchildren happily swung back and forth in the swing.

3. The climber edged slowly and carefully along the ledge.

4. He is a rather bashful person.

5. Every afternoon the baby cries very forcefully for food.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. This suitcase weighs a ton.

- ton modifies weighs

2. The grandchildren happily swung back and forth in the swing.

- happily, back, and forth modify swung

3. The climber edged slowly and carefully along the ledge.

- slowly and carefully modify edged

4. He is a rather bashful person.

- rather modifies bashful

5. Every afternoon the baby cries very forcefully for food.

- afternoon and forcefully modify cries 

- very modifies forcefully

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