A Closer Look At
Adverbs
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What is a Modifier? A modifier is a word or word group that makes the meaning of another word or word group more specific. Two parts of speech are used as modifiers: adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. |
For example:
ADJECTIVE: Ramona
makes beautiful weavings.
ADVERB: Ramona weaves
beautifully.
Adjective or Adverb?
Many adverbs end in -ly, but not all of
them do. A few common adjectives also end in -ly.
Therefore, you cannot tell whether a word is an adjective or an
adverb simply by looking for the -ly ending.
Adjectives
| lovely dress | likely outcome |
| silly story | daily exercise |
To decide whether a word is an adjective or
adverb, determine how the word is used in the
sentence.
| Adjectives | Adverbs |
| Greyhounds are fast dogs. | Greyhounds run fast. |
| Matt is my second cousin. | Matt came in second. |
| They took a late flight. | Their flight arrived late. |
If a word in the predicate modifies the subject
of the verb, use the adjective form. If it modifies the verb, use
the adverb form.
For example:
ADJECTIVE: His
movements were awkward. [Awkward
modifies the noun movements.]
ADVERB: He moved
awkwardly. [Awkwardly modifies the verb
moved.]
ADJECTIVE: The
speedy train moved down the tracks.
[Speedy modifies the noun train.]
ADVERB: The train
moved speedily down the tracks. [Speedily
modifies the verb moved.]
In many cases, linking verbs are followed by a
predicate adjective.
Common Linking
Verbs:
appear, grow, smell, be (am, is, are, etc.),
look, sound, become, remain, stay, feel, seem, taste
Note: Some verbs can be used as either linking
verbs or action verbs. As action verbs they may be modified by
adverbs.
Comparison of
Modifiers
The two kinds of modifiers - adjectives and
adverbs - may be used to compare things. In making comparisons,
adjectives and adverbs take different forms. The specific form
that is used depends upon how many syllables the modifier has and
how many things are being compared.
For example:
ADJECTIVES:
This building is tall. [no comparison]
This building is taller than that one. [one
compared with another]
This building is the tallest one in the world.
[one compared with many others]
ADVERBS:
I ski frequently. [no comparison]
I ski more frequently than she does. [one
compared with another]
Of the three of us, I ski most frequently. [one
compared with two others]
All time most popular tags
Reference: HRM
Image Credits:Kitty Pink Stars , Greyhound Freaks, Marc Strauch, Lost Cheerio
