1. AdverbsAdverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or otherAdverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other
adverbs.adverbs. Adverbs can make your writing moreAdverbs can make your writing more
precise, interesting, and dramatic by telling moreprecise, interesting, and dramatic by telling more
about the verbs in your sentences.about the verbs in your sentences.

2. When they modify verbs, adverbsWhen they modify verbs, adverbs
usuallyusually tell how, when, or wheretell how, when, or where..
 Examples:Examples:
 How did Josh run? He ranHow did Josh run? He ran quickly.quickly.
 When did Josh run? He ranWhen did Josh run? He ran yesterday.yesterday.
 Where did Josh run? He ranWhere did Josh run? He ran away.away.

3. When they modify adjectives,When they modify adjectives,
adverbs usuallyadverbs usually tell how or whattell how or what
extent.extent.
 ExamplesExamples
 How silly is Mr. Bernstein? He isHow silly is Mr. Bernstein? He is veryvery silly.silly.
 To what extent is Ms. Wynn serious? She isTo what extent is Ms. Wynn serious? She is
tootoo serious.serious.

4. Adverbs can also modify otherAdverbs can also modify other
adverbs byadverbs by telling how or to whattelling how or to what
extent.extent.
 ExamplesExamples
 How does Marc skate? He skatesHow does Marc skate? He skates veryvery fast.fast.
 To what extent does Anna understandTo what extent does Anna understand
German? She understands itGerman? She understands it extremely well.extremely well.

5. Notes on AdverbsNotes on Adverbs
 Many but not all adverbs end inMany but not all adverbs end in lyly..
 The wordsThe words notnot andand nevernever areare always adverbsalways adverbs..
 ExamplesExamples
 Darryl would not eat his liverwurst sandwich.Darryl would not eat his liverwurst sandwich.
(Not is an adverb modifying the verb eat.)(Not is an adverb modifying the verb eat.)
 My stepfather's stories are never boring.My stepfather's stories are never boring.
(Never is an adverb modifying the adjective(Never is an adverb modifying the adjective
boring.)boring.)

6. Notes on AdverbsNotes on Adverbs
 Many people confuse good and well.Many people confuse good and well.
 GoodGood is anis an adjective describing a noun. (adjective describing a noun. (It isIt is
a good game.)a good game.)
 WellWell is an adverb,is an adverb, describing a verbdescribing a verb (Their(Their
team played well.)team played well.)

7. Quick Practice with AdverbsQuick Practice with Adverbs
Use the handout to practice!Use the handout to practice!
 The following sentences contain adverbs thatThe following sentences contain adverbs that
modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
 First,First, underline each adverbunderline each adverb andand draw an arrowdraw an arrow
to the word it modifies.to the word it modifies. ThenThen,, label the word itlabel the word it
modifies with v (verb), adj. (adjective), or adv.modifies with v (verb), adj. (adjective), or adv.
(adverb).(adverb). Look closely.Look closely. There may be moreThere may be more
than one adverb in each sentencethan one adverb in each sentence..