Lesson 168 - 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. Do you live here?

2. Should we play inside or outside?

3. Where is your coat, young man?

4. From the sound the bears must be nearby.

5. There he goes.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Do you live here?

- here (where) modifies do live

 

2. Should we play inside or outside?

- inside (where) and outside (where) modify should play

3. Where is your coat, young man?

- Where (where) modifies is

4. From the sound the bears must be nearby.

- nearby (where) modifies must be

5. There he goes.

- There (where) modifies goes

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Lesson 368 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to separate the exact words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence unless the sense of the sentence requires some other punctuation. In quoted words, the comma always goes inside the quotation marks.

 

Examples: 

"I can help you now," said the clerk. 

The clerk said, "I can help you now."

Instructions: Place commas or other punctuation where they are needed.

1. "What time is it " she asked.

2. "Come with me " said the guide.

3. "Don't leave me " shouted the little girl.

4. The man replied "I believe you."

5. The passenger inquired "What time is it?"

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. "What time is it?" she asked.

2. "Come with me," said the guide.

3. "Don't leave me!" shouted the little girl.

4. The man replied, "I believe you."

5. The passenger inquired, "What time is it?"

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Lesson 167 - 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.

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

1. Now and then I become creative.

2. Soon you will see that sight again.

3. He made the corrections on the computer immediately.

4. Sometimes you make unnecessary statements.

5. Lately I take walks often.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Now and then I become creative.

- now (when) and then (when) modify become

2. Soon you will see that sight again.

- soon (when) and again (when) modify will see

3. He made the corrections on the computer immediately.

- immediately (when) modifies made

4. Sometimes you make unnecessary statements.

- sometimes (when) modifies make

5. Lately I take walks often.

- lately (when) and often (when) modify take

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Lesson 367 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb or phrases like for example, in fact, or for instance used to join two main clauses. Common conjunctive adverbs are therefore, nevertheless, moreover, consequently, furthermore, besides, then, thus, instead, accordingly, otherwise, so, yet, still, hence, however. 

 

Example: 

Jill knew she could not win; nevertheless, she kept running.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The trip was wonderful; in fact everyone raved about it.

2. Will wants a promotion; therefore he is working overtime.

3. I do not believe a word he says; otherwise I would listen to his presentation.

4. You seem to be well-qualified; however your price is too high.

5. Your goals are unclear to me; so I will not vote for you.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The trip was wonderful; in fact, everyone raved about it.

2. Will wants a promotion; therefore, he is working overtime.

3. I do not believe a word he says; otherwise, I would listen to his presentation.

4. You seem to be well-qualified; however, your price is too high.

5. Your goals are unclear to me; so, I will not vote for you.

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Lesson 166 - 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.

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

1. The student angrily left the room.

2. Carefully Barbara backed the car from the driveway.

3. That family works well together.

4. Slowly but boldly the soldiers approached the fortress.

5. The organization unanimously voted to assist in the effort.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The student angrily left the room. 

- angrily (how) modifies left

2. Carefully Barbara backed the car from the driveway.

- carefully (how) modifies backed

3. That family works well together.

- well (how) and together (how) modify works

4. Slowly but boldly the soldiers approached the fortress.

- slowly (how) and boldly (how) modify approached

5. The organization unanimously voted to assist in the effort.

- unanimously (how) modifies voted

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Lesson 366 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma before the co-ordinate conjunctions that join independent clauses in a compound sentence. Very short clauses joined by and may omit the comma.

 

Examples: 

Harry will leave on the next flight, but you will join him in a week. 

You wash and I will dry.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. She walked and he ran.

2. I went to New York by train but I returned by plane.

3. I neither like you nor will I assist you in your request.

4. He will have to help or the project will not be completed.

5. The boss will be here tomorrow and we will ask for a raise.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. She walked and he ran. (no comma needed, but you would not be wrong to use one after walked)

2. I went to New York by train, but I returned by plane.

3. I neither like you, nor will I assist you in your request.

4. He will have to help, or the project will not be completed.

5. The boss will be here tomorrow, and we will ask for a raise.

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