Lesson 169 - 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. I am too tired to play.

2. I am very sorry about your extremely sore leg.

3. The storm was almost completely over at noon.

4. You look so much better.

5. Your father looks rather feeble.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I am too tired to play.

- too (how much) modifies tired (predicate adjective)

2. I am very sorry about your extremely sore leg.

- very (how much) modifies sorry (predicate adjective)

- extremely (how much) modifies sore

3. The storm was almost completely over at noon.

- almost (how much) modifies completely

- completely (how much) modifies over (predicate adjective)

4. You look so much better.

- so (how much) modifies much

- much (how much) modifies better (predicate adjective)

5. Your father looks rather feeble.

- rather (how much) modifies feeble (predicate adjective)

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