‘Adverbs’ – What are they? How often are they used in sentences? Learn all about adverbs, its definition, types and usage. Take a look at the examples to have a complete understanding of the topic.
Table of Contents
- What Is an Adverb?
- Types of Adverbs
- Examples of Adverbs
- Check Your Knowledge of Adverbs
- Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs in English
What Is an Adverb?
Like an adjective gives us more information about the noun in a sentence, an adverb is used to provide more information about the verb or the action in the sentence. It also has the property of describing the adjective or another adverb.
Definition of an Adverb
An adverb, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is “a word that adds more information about place, time, manner, cause or degree to a verb, an adjective, a phrase or another adverb.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an adverb as “a word that describes or gives more information about a verb, adjective, adverb, or phrase.”
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides a similar definition. It defines an adverb as “a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb and often used to show degree, manner, place, or time.” According to the Collins Dictionary, an adverb is defined as “a word such as ‘slowly’, ‘ now’, ‘very’, ‘politically’, or ‘ fortunately’ which adds information about the action, event, or situation mentioned in a clause.”
Types of Adverbs
Adverbs are categorised into different types according to their functions when used in a sentence. Given below are the different types of adverbs.
- Adverbs of Manner
- Adverbs of Time
- Adverbs of Place
- Adverbs of Frequency
- Adverbs of Degree
- Conjunctive Adverbs
Check out the article on types of adverbs to learn more about them in detail. Furthermore, read through the article on adverbial phrases to learn what they are.
Examples of Adverbs
Now that you know what adverbs are and how there are different types of adverbs, let us look at some adverb examples to see how they can be used effectively in sentences.
How Adverbs are Used in Sentences
Unlike other parts of speech, adverbs can be placed at any part of the sentence (beginning, middle or end), and make complete sense without sounding absurd. Another characteristic is that multiple adverbs can be used in a sentence. Have a look at the following examples to have a clear understanding of the same.
- I was planning to go to the supermarket to buy some groceries. However, I did not find the time to go. So I ordered online.
- My mom did not cook breakfast today. Therefore, we ended up making noodles for everyone.
- Normally, we go to church on Sundays.
- Don’t you think the coffee is too sweet?
- Do not worry. You will gradually learn how to do it.
- The song I was listening to yesterday was very soothing.
- He kept talking to me for such a long time but I barely knew him.
- It is extremely hot outside today.
- How often do you work out?
- Can I come home tomorrow?
Check Your Knowledge of Adverbs
Identify the most suitable adverb from the list given below and use them to complete the following sentences.
(slightly, too, very, anywhere, instantly, quarterly, soon, never, rarely , seldom, monthly, extremely, seriously, sometimes, weekly)
1. The weather here is _____ cold.
2. I am _________ sorry for the delay.
3. You will receive an OTP and on entering it, your account will be _________ activated.
4. The journal is published ______________.
5. Can you please finish it ______ so that I can use the table.
6. She _______ goes to the salon.
7. Oshin did not find the blue file ________.
8. __________, I like to go on a trip alone just to clear my mind and have a break from this busy schedule.
9. This seems to be ________ absurd.
10. The teacher asked her students to take the project _________ as it would be considered for internal marks.
You have probably got all of it right. Let us find out. Note that some adverbs can be used interchangeably.
1. The weather here is too/very/extremely cold.
2. I am extremely sorry for the delay.
3. You will receive an OTP and on entering it, your account will be instantly activated.
4. The journal is published weekly/monthly/quarterly.
5. Can you please finish it soon so that I can use the table.
6. She seldom/rarely/never goes to the salon.
7. Oshin did not find the blue file anywhere.
8.Sometimes, I like to go on a trip alone just to clear my mind and have a break from this busy schedule.
9. This seems to be too/very absurd.
10. The teacher asked her students to take the project seriously as it would be considered for internal marks.
Frequently Asked Questions on Adverbs in English
What is an adverb?
An adverb is used to provide more information about the verb or the action in the sentence. It also has the property of describing the adjective or another adverb.
What is the definition of an adverb?
An adverb, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is “a word that adds more information about place, time, manner, cause or degree to a verb, an adjective, a phrase or another adverb.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines an adverb as “a word that describes or gives more information about a verb, adjective, adverb, or phrase.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides a similar definition. It defines an adverb as “a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb and often used to show degree, manner, place, or time.” According to the Collins Dictionary, an adverb is defined as “a word such as ‘slowly’, ‘ now’, ‘very’, ‘politically’, or ‘ fortunately’ which adds information about the action, event, or situation mentioned in a clause.”
What are the different types of adverbs?
Adverbs can be classified into six main types:
- Adverbs of Manner
- Adverbs of Time
- Adverbs of Place
- Adverbs of Frequency
- Adverbs of Degree
- Conjunctive Adverbs
Give some examples of adverbs used in sentences.
Here are some examples to show you how the different types of adverbs can be used in sentences.
- My mom did not cook breakfast today; therefore we ended up making noodles for everyone.
- Normally, we go to church on Sundays.
- Don’t you think the coffee is too sweet?
- Do not worry. You will gradually learn how to do it.
- The song I was listening to yesterday was very soothing.
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