Transcription of The Adverb
1 1 THE Adverb Recognize an Adverb when you see one. adverbs tweak the meaning of verbs, adjectives, other adverbs , and clauses. Read, for example, this sentence: O u r b a s s e t h o u n d B a i l e y s l e e p s o n t h e l i v i n g r o o m f l o o r . Is Bailey a sound sleeper, curled into a tight ball? Or is he a fitful sleeper, his paws twitching while he dreams? The addition of an Adverb adjusts the meaning of the verb sleeps so that the reader has a clearer picture: O u r b a s s e t h o u n d B a i l e y s l e e p s p e a c e f u l l y o n t he l i v i n g r o o m f l o o r . adverbs can be single words, or they can be phrases or clauses. adverbs answer one of these four questions: How? When? Where? and Why? Here are some single-word examples: L e n o r a r u d e l y g r a b b e d t h e l a s t c h o c o l a t e c o o k i e.
2 The Adverb rudely fine-tunes the verb grabbed. T y l e r s t u m b l e d i n t h e c o m p l e t e l y d a r k k i t c h e n . The Adverb completely fine-tunes the adjective dark. R o x a n n e v e r y ha p p i l y a c c e p t e d t h e t e n-p o i n t l a t e p e n a l t y t o w o r k o n h e r r e s e a r c h e s s a y o n e m o r e d a y . The Adverb very fine-tunes the Adverb happily. S u r p r i s i n g l y, t h e r e s t r o o m s t a l l s h a d t o i l e t p a p e r . The Adverb surprisingly modifies the entire main clause that follows. Many single-word adverbs end in ly. In the examples above, you saw peacefully, rudely, completely, happily, and surprisingly. 2 Not all ly words are adverbs , however. Lively, lonely, and lovely are adjectives instead, answering the questions What kind? or Which one? Many single-word adverbs have no specific ending, such as next, not, often, seldom, and then.
3 If you are uncertain whether a word is an Adverb or not, use a dictionary to determine its part of speech. adverbs can also be multi-word phrases and clauses. Here are some examples: A t 2 a . m ., a b a t f l e w t h r o u g h D e i d r e ' s o p e n b e d r o o m w i n d o w. The prepositional phrase at 2 indicates when the event happened. The second prepositional phrase, through Deidre's open bedroom window, describes where the creature traveled. W i t h a f o r k , G e o r g e t h r a s h e d t h e r a w e g g s u n t i l t h e y f o a m e d. The subordinate clause until they foamed describes how George prepared the eggs. S y l v i a e m p t i e d t h e c a r t o n o f m i l k i n t o t h e s i n k b e c a u s e t h e e x p i r a t i o n d a t e h a d l o n g p a s s e d. The subordinate clause because the expiration date had long passed describes why Sylvia poured out the milk.
4 Avoid an Adverb when a single, stronger word will do. Many readers believe that adverbs make sentences bloated and flabby. When you can replace a two-word combination with a more powerful, single word, do so! For example, don't write drink quickly when you mean gulp, or walk slowly when you mean saunter, or very hungry when you mean ravenous. Form comparative and superlative adverbs correctly. To make comparisons, you will often need comparative or superlative adverbs . You use comparative adverbs more and less if you are discussing two people, places, or things. 3 You use superlative adverbs most and least if you have three or more people, places, or things. Look at these two examples: B e t h l o v e s g r e e n v e g e t a b l e s , s o s h e e a t s b r oc c o l i m o r e f r e q u e n t l y t h a n h e r b r o t h e r D a n i e l . A m o n g t h e m e m b e r s o f h e r f a m i l y , B e t h e a t s p e p p e r o n i p i z z a t h e l e a s t o f t e n.
5 Don't use an adjective when you need an Adverb instead. You will often hear people say, "Anthony is real smart" or "This pizza sauce is real salty." Real is an adjective, so it cannot modify another adjective like smart or salty. What people should say is "Anthony is really smart" or "This pizza sauce is really salty." If you train yourself to add the extra ly syllable when you speak, you will likely remember it when you write, where its absence will otherwise cost you points or respect! Realize that an Adverb is not part of the verb. Some verbs require up to four words to complete the tense. A multi-part verb has a base or main part as well as auxiliary or helping verbs with it. When a short Adverb such as also, never, or not interrupts, it is still an Adverb , not part of the verb. Read these examples: F o r h i s b i r t h d a y , F r a n k w o u l d a l s o l i k e a j a r o f d i l l p i c k l e s.
6 Would like = verb; also = Adverb . A f t e r t h a t d r e a d f u l c a s s e r o l e y o u m a d e l a s t n i g h t , J u l i e w i l l n e v e r e a t t u n a o r b r o c c o l i a g a i n . Will eat = verb; never = Adverb . 4 Grammar Bytes! | | 2018 D e s p i t e t h e a p p r o a c h i n g d e a d l i n e , S h e r y l-A n n h a s not s t a r t e d h e r r e s e a r c h e s s a y . Has started = verb; not = Adverb .
