Parts of Speech: Adverbs With Help from Martin Prince

What is an Adverb? An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Some adverbs—really, actually, truly, indeed, etc.—are used mostly for emphasis. Classify these as adverbs of extent. –Martin is indeed a smart student.

Modifying Verbs The adverb is used most commonly as the modifier of a verb. It may tell how, when, where, or to what extent (how often or how much) the action of the verb is done. –Martin squeals eagerly on the bad students in his class.

Modifying Adjectives An adverb may modify an adjective. –Martin is a really good choice for class president. [Really modifies the adjective good, telling how good or to what extent he is good at being president.]

Modifying Adverbs An adverb may modify another adverb. –Martin behaves very well. [the adverb very modifies the adverb well, telling how well.]

Note on Not Not is classified as an adverb: –Martin is not the most popular kid.

Nouns Used as Adverbs Some nouns may be used adverbially: –Martin, Milhouse, Nelson, and Bart left yesterday for the National Grammar Rodeo. –The boys will come back tomorrow or Monday. In identifying parts of speech, these nouns used in this way should be labeled as adverbs.

Practice Identify the each adverb and state which word each modifies. Also tell whether the adverb expresses how, when, where, or to what extent: –Martin, a really good student in Bart’s class, spoke hurriedly in front of the class today. –Although Martin thought he would lose the election, he is actually a winner. –Nelson would very often stuff Martin into lockers purposefully, even though he would always get in trouble for it.

Practice (Corrected) Martin, a really good student in Bart’s class, spoke hurriedly in front of the class today. Although Martin thought he would lose the election, he is actually a winner. Nelson would very often stuff Martin into lockers purposefully, even though he would always get in trouble for it.