Lesson 3: The Adverb

Definition

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

Explanation

Think of adverbs as describing words for actions (verbs), other descriptions (adjectives), or even other adverbs! They answer questions like Where? and How?. A super common but sneaky adverb is the word not (and its contraction -n't). When you see it, it's almost always an adverb modifying a verb.

Examples

• Our dog often barks at the mail carrier. [The adverb often modifies the verb barks and tells how often.]
• The turtle crawled across the path so carefully. [The adverb so modifies the adverb carefully and tells to what extent. The adverb carefully modifies the verb crawled and tells how.]
• The party moved outdoors, and the yard was almost empty. [The adverb outdoors modifies the verb moved and tells where. The adverb almost modifies the adjective empty and tells to what extent.]

Definition

Adverbs may appear in various places in a sentence. Adverbs come before, after, or between the words they modify.

Explanation

Adverbs are like little travelers! They can show up at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence, and the sentence still makes sense. One special case is when an adverb asks a question (like Where? or When?). These adverbs almost always stay at the very front of the sentence.

Examples

In the following sentences, the adverb often modifies the verb practices.

• Often, the team practices in the gym.
• The team practices in the gym often.
• The team often practices in the gym.