Adverb | Definition, Types, Examples & Listings

Below is a complete guide to English adverb that covers everything from their definition and types to their gender, number, case, functions, and usage. So, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of Adverb in the English language.

Define Adverb With Examples

Words that can modify or describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even entire sentences are called adverbs. Adverbs can be utilized to show manner (how something occurs), degree (how much), place (where), and time (when). In English grammar, adverbs are usually formed by adding –ly to the end of an adjective (e.g. “speedy” turns out to be “rapidly”), although there are also other adverbs that do not have this ending.

There are also verb-modifying phrases that are adverbial phrases, Adverbial phrases are the series of words that play the grammatical role of adverbs.

Example:

• Aqsa never answers her phone.
• Ali walked quickly.
• Actually, I’m not sure.

How Did Adverbs Use in Sentences?

By describing the place where, when, how, and how much something happens, adverbs offer context in a sentence. Adverbs can be utilized to modify verbs, adjectives, and even other adverbs.

Example:

• I started playing golf quite
• Usman is extremely.
• Tamara danced slowly.

Adverbs can also be used to change whole sentences by expressing a viewpoint or making an evaluation. These adverbs (called sentence adverbs) are normally set off with commas.

Example:

• Hassan can’t attend the party, unfortunately.
• Luckily, the fire department responded right away.

How Adverbs are Used?

Words that can modify or describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even entire sentences are called adverbs. Adverbs can be utilized to show manner (how something occurs), degree (how much), place (where), and time (when).

Ways we use adverbs:

1. To tell how something happens
   • She runs quickly. (How does she run? Quickly.)
2. To tell when something happens
   • We will leave tomorrow. (When will we leave? Tomorrow.)
3. To tell where something happens
   • He looked everywhere for his bag. (Where did he look? Everywhere.)
4. Tells about how often something happens
   • We go out at night. (How often? Always.)
5. To tell how much or how strong something is
   • The tea is very (How hot? Very.)

Examples of Adverbs in sentences

1. Quickly: She did his work quickly.
2. Slowly: He was running slowly.
3. Happily: They are going happily in the yard.
4. Loudly: They are singing loudly.
5. Quietly: Boys are playing quietly.
6. Carefully: He painted carefully.
7. Easily: She solved the puzzle easily.
8. Well: He sings very well.
9. Early: We get up early in the morning.
10. Suddenly: Suddenly, the lion came.

Types of Adverbs

1. Adverbs of Manner
2. Adverbs of Degree
3. Adverbs of Place
4. Adverbs of Time
5. Adverbs of Frequency
6. Adverbs of Purpose
7. Conjunctive Adverbs
8. Focusing Adverbs

Define Adverbs of Manner With Examples

An adverb of manner describes how an activity is performed or the way that something occurs. In most cases, adverbs of manner happen after the main verb.

Example:

• Umair laughed loudly.
• Rabia read quietly.

When a verb has a direct object, the adverb should be positioned before the verb or at the end of the sentence. It should never be placed between the verb and its object(the book is the object, in these following examples).

Example:

• Saima read the book quietly.
• Jessie quietly read the book.

list of Adverbs of Manner:

• Quickly
• Slowly
• Happily
• Sadly
• Loudly
• Quietly
• Carefully
• Easily
• Well

Define Adverbs of Degree With Examples

Adverbs of degree are used to qualify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs qualifiers by communicating extent or degree. A few common adverbs of degree include: extremely, totally, absolutely, somewhat, slightly, quite, and enough.

Example:

• I will be ready soon, I am almost
• The prescription made a very positive effect.

list of Adverbs of Degree:

• Very
• Too
• Almost
• Quite
• Extremely
• Just
• Nearly
• Enough
• So
• Hardly

Define Adverbs of Place With Examples

It gives details about the place where an action occurs, such as its position, distance, and direction. Adverbs of place typically happen after the main verb of a sentence.

Example:

• Confetti was thrown everywhere.
• Come here!

list of Adverbs of Place:

• Here
• There
• Everywhere
• Nowhere
• Inside
• Outside
• Above
• Below
• Nearby
• Away

Define Adverbs of Time With Examples

Adverbs of time (e.g. “yesterday,” “today,” “tomorrow”) describe when something occurs. They are regularly positioned toward the finish of a sentence.

Example:

• Because of his dentist appointment, Dylan will arrive late to school today.
• I need to go, but I will catch up with you tomorrow.

list of Adverbs of Time:

• Now
• Then
• Today
• Yesterday
• Tomorrow
• Soon
• Later
• Already
• Recently
• Always

Define Adverbs of Frequency With Examples

Adverbs of frequency describe how frequently something occurs. They can be divided into two classifications based on how specific they are. Adverbs of indefinite frequency (e.g. “always,” “sometimes,” and “never”)give an idea of how frequently something happens, but they do not give an exact timeframe. Adverbs of indefinite frequency are normally positioned before the main verb.

Example:

• Aqsa never washes the dishes.
• Anna always works on Saturdays.

list of Adverbs of Frequency:

• Always
• Usually
• Often
• Sometimes
• Rarely
• Never
• Frequently
• Occasionally
• Seldom
• Constantly

Define Adverbs of Purpose With Examples

Adverbs of purpose (also called adverbs of reason) help to make sense of why something is the situation. There are many adverbs of purpose function that work as conjunctive adverbs. Adverbs of purpose are usually expressed as adverbial phrases rather than individual words, except for a few instances.

Example:

• Since you’re busy, I will call back later.
• The company made a massive profit. Therefore, the workers were given raises.

list of Adverbs of Purpose:

• Therefore
• Hence
• Thus
• Consequently
• Accordingly
• So
• Purposely
• Intentionally
• For this reason
• As a result

Define Conjunctive Adverbs With Examples

Conjunctive adverbs (also called linking adverbs) connect two free clauses by turning the second clause into an adverbial modifier of the first. They can be utilized as transition words to introduce consequence, condition, comparison, contrast, differentiation, and clarification.

 Example:

• Sana’s funding application was denied, therefore, she cannot continue her research.
• The wedding is scheduled for tomorrow. However, we do not have a caterer.

list of Conjunctive Adverbs:

• However
• Therefore
• Moreover
• Furthermore
• Consequently
• Nevertheless
• Meanwhile
• Otherwise
• Instead
• Likewise

Define Focusing Adverbs With Examples

Focusing adverbs are used to underline a specific piece of a sentence. They are typically situated close to the word they are causing to notice. Some common focusing adverbs include: “only,” “just,” “especially,” “particularly,” “even,” and “either,” and not one or the other.

Example:

• Sara had a great time at the party, she even
• Natalia loves reading, especially

list of Focusing Adverbs:

• Also
• Only
• Even
• Just
• Mainly
• Mostly
• Particularly
• Especially
• Primarily
• Simply

Adverbs List With Definition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Adverb?

Words that can modify or describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even entire sentences are called adverbs. Adverbs can be utilized to show manner (how something occurs), degree (how much), place (where), and time (when).

What are the types of Adverbs?

1. Adverbs of Manner
2. Adverbs of Degree
3. Adverbs of Place
4. Adverbs of Time
5. Adverbs of Frequency
6. Adverbs of Purpose
7. Conjunctive Adverbs
8. Focusing Adverbs

Which are the Examples of Adverbs in Sentences?

• Quickly: She did his work quickly.
• Slowly: He was running slowly.
• Happily: They are going happily in the yard.

Related Resources:

Grammar

• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Pronouns
• Prepositions
• Conjunctions
• Interjections