Grammar

Book 4
 What is an Adverb?

Adverbs are words that add meaning to the actions of people,

places, events and objects. They tell us how, when, where and
for how long things happen.

Adverbs add meanings to:

 A verb- He runs quickly.

 An adjective- He is a very fast runner.
 Another adverb- He runs too quickly for me.

Adverbs add meaning to verbs, adjectives and other

adverbs. NEVER to nouns.
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner tell us HOW something is being done.

Example:

 He nodded anxiously.  I can run fast.

 He spoke slowly.

Adverbs of manner answer the question ‘how’ about the verb. The
answer may follow the verb or may be elsewhere in the sentence.

Example:

The balloon rose effortlessly. He nodded his head slowly.

Many adverbs of manner end in the suffix -ly. They are often built
from adjectives.

Quickly Lazily Fiercely Silently Busily Angrily Wishfully

Activity 1:

Change these adjectives to adverbs of manner by adding -ly.

Adjective Adverb of manner

Silent
Patient
Loud
Helpful
Quiet
Cold
Clear
Bad
Quick
Careless
Noisy

Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time tell us when, or for how long, something is
being done.

Example:

 He arrived yesterday.
 She is arriving tomorrow.

Adverbs of time answer the question ‘when” or for ‘how long’

about the verb. The answer may follow the verb or may be elsewhere
in the sentence.

Example:

 He seldom comes to visit.

 The race occurs annually.
 I haven’t seen him lately.

Below is a list of common adverbs of time.

Often Soon Later Seldom Occasionally

Early Daily Annually Weekly Once
Yesterday Tomorrow Sometimes Never Always
Yet Rarely Immediately Regularly Then
After Afterwards Again Next since

Activity 2:
Complete the following sentences using the appropriate adverbs.

1) I saw him___________ .
a) Yesterday
b) Tomorrow

2) I went there _____________ .

a) Tomorrow
b) Yesterday

3) I haven’t seen her _____________ Monday.

a) Since
b) For

4) I saw him_______ morning.

a) Yesterday
b) In yesterday

5) I haven’t seen her_____________ .

a) Yesterday
b) Today

6) I haven’t seen her since _____________ .

a) Yesterday
b) Tomorrow

Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of frequency are used to say how often we do things or
how often things happen.

Here are some common adverbs of frequency (in order from most
frequent to least frequent):

Adverb position:
An adverb of frequency goes before a main verb in a sentence:
Example: I often play tennis on Sundays. (subject + adverb + main
verb)

However, the exception is when the sentence contains the verb 'to
be'. In this case it goes after the verb:
Example: I am usually hungry after school. (subject + to be
+ adverb)

In addition, when there is an auxiliary verb (e.g. have, will, must,

might, could, would, can, etc.), the adverb is
placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. Example: She
can almost always beat her brother at chess. (subject + auxiliary
+ adverb + main verb)

These adverbs of frequency can also be used at the beginning of a

sentence: Usually, normally, often, frequently, sometimes,
occasionally Example: Sometimes, I go shopping on Sundays.
(adverb + subject + main verb)
 Activity 3:

Read the paragraph below and circle true or false to each

statement.

I always go to the cinema on Sunday mornings because it’s cheaper. I usually

go with my friend but sometimes I go with my parents. I always take sweets
with me, but I buy a drink there. I never get popcorn because I hate it! How
often do you go to the cinema?

A I go to the cinema on Sundays. True False

B I sometimes go with my friends. True False
C I go with my parents every time. True False
D I don’t buy sweets at the cinema. True False
E I take a drink from home. True False
F I get popcorn every time I go. True False

We can use adverbs of frequency to talk

about how often we do something.
Remember to put the adverb of
frequency before the main verb.
Activity 4: Interview!

Interview a friend and write their answers using their chart below.

1) How often do you do your homework before school?

_______________________________________________
2) How often do you have cereal for breakfast?
_______________________________________________
3) How often do you go to the park when it’s raining?
_______________________________________________
4) How often do you use the computer in English?
_______________________________________________
Activity 5:

Match the adverbs of frequency with the examples.

Always I go swimming only if I have nothing else

to do.
Usually I don’t go swimming-I can’t swim!

Sometimes I go swimming every chance I can- I love

it!
Never I go swimming a lot, but not when I have
extra homework.

Activity 6:

Put the adverb of frequency in the right place.

1) Susan is late for school. (never)

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
2) My brother doesn’t write letters to his friends. (usually)
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
3) Peter wears a tie. (sometimes)
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
4) Do the children watch TV? (often)
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
 Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place tells us where something is or is taking place.

Example: Here is the hat I lost. Put your school bag there by the
door.

Adverbs of place answer the question ‘where’ about the verb. The
answer may follow the verb or may be elsewhere in the sentence.
There it is! I can’t find it anywhere.

Activity 7:

Circle the adverbs of place in these sentences.

1) The plane flew high above the clouds. Finally, it came down to
land.
2) I will run away and hide somewhere. Then you can look for me.
3) I thought I left my hat here, but it is nowhere to be found.
4) Mum has gone out in the car and dad is somewhere in the
garden.
5) The birds flew off, but one was left behind.
6) In the marathon, Josh came first, and I came tenth.
 Interrogative Adverbs

Adverbs can be used to introduce certain questions.

Example: When will you be leaving for Paris?

Adverbs that introduce questions are:

How?, When? Where?, Why?

These questions are very useful when researching a topic of study.

Example:

 Where is the Eiffel Tower?

 When was it built?
 Why was it built?
 How is it used today?

It is important to know how to answer these questions when using a

Interrogative adverb.

 When: (at what time?)

 Where: (in what place?)
 Why: (for what reasons?)
 How: (in what way?)
Activity 8:
In groups of 2 or 4, write down some questions using
Interrogative adverbs. You can do this activity by
yourself as well.

1) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
2) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
3) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
4) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
5) _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

ADVERBS that introduce questions are:

How? When? Where? Why?

What are these adverbs called?

_________________________
 Modifiers and Intensifiers

Adverbs add meaning to adjectives and other adverbs. These

adverbs modify or intensify the meaning.

Example:
Intensifiers Modifiers
Extremely fit Fairly slow
Very loudly Nearly there

Modifiers weaken or soften the message, while intensifiers

strengthen it.

Compare:

The journey was quite long and rather tiring.

Or
The journey was extremely long and very tiring.

I am quite sure he is telling the truth.

Or
I am absolutely sure he is telling the truth.

Below is a table of some examples of Modifiers and Intensifiers.

Almost ripe Deeply troubled Really happy Fairly slowly

Entirely wrong Somewhat concerned Unusually quite Reasonable fast
Quite old Wholly satisfied Immensely please Rather late

We use modifiers and intensifiers to make our messages clear. We

use them particularly when we are trying to persuade others to a
point of view- arguing or discussing issues, advertising products,
making a complaint, or reviewing movies and books.

Activity 9:
Select the correct adverb as the intensifier.

1) Johnny’s colour was back, and his breathing was regular, but
his hand was shaking ever so slightly.
a) Breathing
b) Slightly
c) Colour
d) Shaking
Select the correct word that was modified by an intensifier.

2) Johnny’s colour was back, and his breathing was regular, but
his hand was shaking ever so slightly.
a) Was shaking
b) Ever so
c) Colour
d) breathing

Activity 10:

Underline the adverbs in the following sentences and write modifier

or intensifier above it.

1. She bought an expensive necklace cheaply.

2. A load of salmon arrived on the docks yesterday.
3. People who shop wisely can save a great deal of money.
4. There is a big sale at the mall today.
5. Denise always goes to sales.
6. Our space probe landed softly on the moon today.
7. Quickly, we gathered our gear.

Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree show comparative differences in the time, place
and manner in which things happen.

Example:

 The balloon flew high.

 The helicopter flew higher.
 The jet flew highest of all.

There are 3 degrees.

 Positive- says how, when, where or for how long

something is happening. Example: Liam arrived early. He had
not walked far.
 Comparative- shows a higher degree of difference, one to
another. Example: Samuel arrived earlier than Liam. He had
walked farther.
 Superlative- shows the highest degree of difference compared
to all others. Example: Ned arrived earliest of them all. He had
walked the farthest.

Generally, we add -er to show comparative degree and -est to show

superlative degree.

Example:

Positive Comparative Superlative

Long Longer Longest
Late Later Latest
Soon Sooner Soonest
 Some adverbs of degree will look like adjectives
but remember adverbs do not add meaning to
nouns, adjectives do.

We use more and most before adverbs ending in the suffix -ly.

Anxiously More anxiously Most anxiously

Excitedly More excitedly Most excitedly
Happily More happily Most happily

There are some irregular adverbs of degree.

Well Better Best

Much More Most
Badly Worse Worst
Activity 11:

Write the comparative and superlative forms of the following

adverbs in the blanks provided.

Adverbs Comparative Superlative

Recently
Frequently Most frequently
Effectively
Well
Generally Most generally
Badly
Late
Long Longer
Much Most
Little Less
Often
Hard Harder
Important
Intently
Quietly
 Negative Adverbs

Negative Adverbs are used to make sentences negative.

Example:

 I do not agree.
 They have not come yet.
 He is not ready to go.

In speech and informal writing, they are often written as

contractions.

Example:

 I don’t agree.
 They haven’t come yet.
 He isn’t ready to go.
Never can also be used to make a sentence
negative.

Example:

 She is never on time.

 Never come back here again!

Negative Adverbs examples:

Hardly Nobody Non

Nowhere Neither No
Never Nothing Not
N’t contractions
(don’t)
Activity 12:

Circle the correct negative adverb.

1) I don’t know none/any of the people in that apartment building.

2) I haven’t had no/any time to repair the lawn mower.
3) Hardly anything/nothing pleases him.
4) I did nothing/anything to offend him.

Activity 13:

Read the sentences below and underline the correct

negative adverb.

1) Incorrect: I do not want nothing.

Correct: I do not want anything.
Correct: I want nothing.
2) Incorrect: The store doesn’t have no more milk.
Correct: The store doesn’t have any more milk.
Correct: The store has no more milk.
3) Incorrect: I never said nothing to her about it.
Correct: I never said anything to her about it.
Correct: I said nothing to her about it.
4) Incorrect: Jill won’t go nowhere without me.
Correct: Jill won’t go anywhere without me.
Correct: Jill will go nowhere without me.
 Affirmative Adverbs

Affirmative adverbs give messages a positive fell.

Example: Yes, certainly, surely, undoubtedly, absolutely,

affirmatively, assertedly, clearly, truly, definitely, exactly,
alright, obviously, positively, really, sure.

We use these in sentences, to give the sentence a positive feel.

Below are some examples of how we use them in sentences.

Example:

 She is certainly going through hard time.

 Eager to know his son’s progress, he will definitely attend the
parent’s teacher meeting.
 The moon is very clearly visible from the terrace of my house.
 Things turned out to be exactly the same as expected.
 With the kind of dedication he has, he will surely be rewarded
at work.
Activity 14:

Complete the below sentences by choosing the Adverbs of

Affirmation from the choices given:

1) It was ______ an act of courage that saved the lives of

millions.
a) not at all
b) not
c) never
d) definitely
2) The price of the asset was ________ declared by the bidding
agency.
a) assertedly
b) truly
c) rarely
d) not at all
3) Mahatma Gandhi is _______ the most revered freedom
fighter of Indian freedom struggle.
a) rarely
b) certainly
c) almost
d) never
4) After the lecture is over, I am ______ going to the
auditorium.
a) never
b) not
c) also
d) surely
5) India will _______ emerge as the world’s largest economy in
few years.
a) undoubtedly
b) never
c) may
 d) not

Answers

Activity 1:

Adjective Adverb of manner

Silent Silently
Patient Patiently
Loud Loudly
Helpful Helpfully
Quiet Quietly
Cold Coldly
Clear Clearly
Bad Badly
Quick Quickly
Careless Carelessly
Noisy Noisily

Activity 2:

1) Yesterday 4) Yesterday
2) Yesterday 5) Today
3) Since 6) Yesterday

Activity 3:

A True
B False
C False
D True
E False
F False
Activity 5:

Always I go swimming every chance I can- I love

it!
Usually I go swimming a lot, but not when I have
extra homework.
Sometimes I go swimming only if I have nothing else
to do.
Never I don’t go swimming-I can’t swim!

Activity 6:

1) Susan is never late for school. (never)

2) My brother doesn’t write letters usually to his friends.
(usually)
3) Peter wears a tie sometimes. (sometimes)
4) Do the children often watch TV? (often)

Activity 7:
1) The plane flew high above the clouds. Finally, it came down to
land.
2) I will run away and hide somewhere. Then you can look for me.
3) I thought I left my hat here, but it is nowhere to be found.
4) Mum has gone out in the car and dad is somewhere in the
garden.
5) The birds flew off, but one was left behind.
6) In the marathon, Josh came first, and I came tenth.

Activity 9:
1) Slightly
2) Ever so
Activity 10:
1. She bought an expensive necklace cheaply.
2. A load of salmon arrived on the docks yesterday.
3. People who shop wisely can save a great deal of money.
4. There is a big sale at the mall today.
5. Denise always goes to sales.
6. Our space probe landed softly on the moon today.
7. Quickly, we gathered our gear.

Activity 11:

Adverbs Comparative Superlative

Recently More recently Most recently
Frequently More frequently Most frequently
Effectively More effectively Most effectively
Well Better Best
Generally More generally Most generally
Badly Worse Worst
Late Later Lately
Long Longer Longest
Much More Most
Little Less More less
Often More often Most often
Hard Harder Hardest
Important More important Most important
Intently More intently Most intently
Quietly Quieter Quietest
Activity 12:

1) I don’t know any of the people in that apartment building.

2) I haven’t had any time to repair the lawn mower.
3) Hardly anything pleases him.
4) I did nothing to offend him.

Activity 13:

1) Incorrect: I do not want nothing.

Correct: I do not want anything.
Correct: I want nothing.
2) Incorrect: The store doesn’t have no more milk.
Correct: The store doesn’t have any more milk.
Correct: The store has no more milk.
3) Incorrect: I never said nothing to her about it.
Correct: I never said anything to her about it.
Correct: I said nothing to her about it.
4) Incorrect: Jill won’t go nowhere without me.
Correct: Jill won’t go anywhere without me.
Correct: Jill will go nowhere without me.

Activity 14:

1) Definitely
2) Assertedly
3) Certainly
4) surely
5) undoubtedly