What is an adverb? An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. –Explorers eagerly chase adventure. modifying the verbEagerly is an adverb because it is modifying the verb, chase. –Some explorers visit amazingly beautiful places. modifying the adjectiveAmazingly is an adverb because it is modifying the adjective, beautiful. –Others quite bravely explore the unknown- space. modifying the adverbQuite is an adverb because it is modifying the adverb, bravely, which is modifying the verb explore.

Adverbs answer the questions how, when, where, or to what extent. - How? suddenly, carefully, sadly - When? now, later, soon - Where? there, up, ahead - To What Extent? completely, totally, fully

Adverbs can appear in different positions in sentences. –The tourists boarded the bus eagerly. [after the verb] –The tourists eagerly boarded the bus. [before the verb] –Eagerly, the tourists boarded the bus. [at the beginning]

Commonly Used Adverbs slightly always completely partially hardly ever how quite rather especially how almost often too still not never somewhat later already here there when where then now

Adverbs that modify adjectives or other adverbs usually come directly before the words they modify. They usually answer the question to what extent. –Marco Polo told really wonderful tales of China. really modifies the adjective, wonderful. –People were very eager to hear his stories. very modifies the adjective, eager. –They nearly always hung on every word. Nearly modifies the adverb, always.

Attitude Adverbs Attitude adverbs express the writer’s attitude toward the state or action described in the sentence. Some common attitude adverbs are fortunately, luckily, obviously. Fortunately, there was no need to debug the circuit. Obviously, you need to debug the circuit.

Sentence Adverbs the certainty or uncertainty Sentence adverbs express the certainty or uncertainty of the state or action described in the sentence. Some common sentence adverbs are certainly, possibly, and probably. Computers certainly have changed our lives. Computers have certainly changed our lives.

Time Adverbs Some common time adverbs are already, always, ever, finally, frequently, just, and never. Computers are already standard equipment in most elementary schools. Frequently, students are already familiar with computers when they enter the first grade.

Manner Adverbs Some common manner adverbs are carefully, quietly, slowly, quickly, and well. The students guided the robot slowly and carefully through the designated turns. The students slowly and carefully guided the robot through the designated turns.

Quantity Adverbs Quantity adverbs modify the quantity or intensity of an adjective, a verb, or another adverb. They typically are placed immediately before the words they modify. Quantity Adverbs Some common quantity adverbs are almost, completely, especially, hardly, just, nearly, only, quite, really, relatively, extremely, and very. Electrical engineers have just recently begun to question whether or not the use of fiber optics is cost effective. Opinions are quite diverse on that subject

Degrees of Adverbs: Like adjectives, adverbs can appear in the positive, comparative, or superlative degree: rapidly [positive] more rapidly [comparative] most rapidly [superlative]

Comparative Adverbs All adverbs ending in –ly and certain other adverbs, especially long ones, form the comparative by the addition of the word more or less. We performed the experiment more quickly than we expected [comparative with more]. The robot completed the course less rapidly than we thought it would [comparative with less].