Grammar Smart 3rd Edition - Princeton Review 2014

D. Adverbs
Part 1. The Names of Things

Adverbs modify verbs (run quickly), adjectives (often happy), or other adverbs (too quickly). Adverbs frequently end in -ly, but the -ly isn’t a requirement. A test for determining adverbs is to think about function: adverbs tend to tell where, when, or how.

very ugly; most unpleasant; never sleepy; slightly

askew; come soon; groan loudly

Possible Confusion: Adjectives also modify, so it is easy to confuse them with adverbs. And even more confusingly, some words sometimes act as adjectives, and sometimes act as adverbs, depending on the sentence and the circumstance. Ask yourself which word is being described: adjectives always modify nouns or pronouns, and adverbs never do.

Wanda was a little sleepy.

(adverb little modifying adjective sleepy)

Wanda took a little nap.

(adjective little modifying noun nap)

Rules for Adverbs

1. Adverbs follow the same form as adjectives when they are used to make comparisons.

positive      comparative    superlative

soon       sooner    soonest

little       less     least

drunkenly      more drunkenly   most drunkenly

2. In placing adverbs, follow a simple rule: put the adverb as close as possible to the word being modified. Otherwise you may be giving your sentence a meaning other than the one you intend.

My headache was only temporary.

Only my headache was temporary.

How does the meaning of the sentence change when the adverb is moved?

Quick Quiz #7

Billy Wifflamoo, the Early Years

Note five adverbs in the follwing passage.

Billy’s third grade teacher was a hearty woman named Mrs. Dingdong. Mrs. Dingdong spoke loudly, and her booming voice could often be heard by students in surrounding buildings. Her students would later confess that they heard Mrs. Dingdong’s booming voice in their dreams for the rest of their lives.

“Billy!” Mrs. Dingdong boomed fondly. “You are almost the messiest boy ever born! Quickly put your paste and your scissors in your locker and stand quietly in line!”

Billy shook with fear when Mrs. Dingdong boomed at him. He understood well enough that she was only trying to educate him, but his ears were extremely sensitive and the reverberations of her voice lasted over the weekend.

Click here for the answers.

Adverb Trivia Question: An awful lot of adverbs end in -ly. Can you name some adjectives that end in -ly? How about a noun ending in -ly? Check this page for answers.