Transcript Adverbs
Adverbs Fast Facts Adverbs modify verbs by telling how, when, where, or how often an action happens. Examples… How? He patiently waited for the bus. When? She quietly sang the song today. Where? Put the apples there. How often? I always cry when I watch sad movies. Adverbs express degree by answering the questions how much or how little or to what extent. Examples… Jolene was comforting a very small baby. [The adverb very is modifying the adjective small by telling how small] Never, not, and –n’t are always adverbs. Adverbs can come before or after verbs. Examples… The rocket ascended suddenly. The rocket suddenly ascended. Adverbs can also describe adjectives and other adverbs. Examples: The military fired very powerful rockets. [very modifies the adj powerful] Rockets almost always hit their targets. [almost modifies the adverb always] Comparative and Superlative Adverbs When adverbs are used to make comparisons, they are either in the comparative or superlative form. The comparative form is made by adding -er to the end of an adverb. Examples… close closer The superlative form is made by adding -est to the end of an adverb. Example… soon soonest Sometimes –er and –est cannot be added to adverbs. In these cases, the words less and least and more and most are placed before the adverbs to make comparisons. Good vs. Well Good is always an adjective. It modifies a noun or a pronoun. Example… The ice cream sundae was a good invention. Good is an adjective that modifies invention. Well is usually an adverb. It modifies a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Example: Ice cream sold well. The adverb well modifies the verb sold. Well becomes an adjective when describing health. In this situation the adverb follows a liking verb. Example: He doesn’t feel well. The adjective well describes the pronoun he. Conjunctive Adverbs Conjunctions have one job, to connect. They join words, phrases, or clauses together to clarify what the writer is saying. Their presence provides smooth transitions from one idea to another. When the job of an adverb is to connect ideas, we call it a conjunctive adverb. Here is a list of common conjunctive adverbs: accordingly also besides consequently conversely finally furthermore hence however indeed instead likewise meanwhile moreover nevertheless next nonetheless otherwise similarly still subsequently then therefore thus Conjunctive Adverbs continued Conjunctive Adverbs typically require punctuation. Examples… Therefore, I will eat eggs! In other words, grammar is a useful skill. The gods thundered in the heavens; furthermore, the mortals below cowered in fear. The bank robber dodged the bullet; however, the glass door to the bank wasn't as lucky and shattered into a million pieces.