An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, adjective or another adverb. For example, we know the meaning of walk. However, walk+slowly meaning something different from walk+quickly. The word walk means the same in each example. The adverbs slowly and quickly make the meaning of walk very different.
Adverbs answer the questions. The types of questions, answered by adverbs, are mentioned in the table.
| Where? | Go away |
| When? | Pay soon |
| How? | Slowly went |
| How often? | Never lie |
| To what extent? | Very big |
You can notice that adverb can come before or after the word it modifies.
Types of Adverbs
Adverbs are divided into three types:
- Simple Adverbs
- Time
- Place
- Number
- Manner
- Quantity
- Affirmation
- Reason
- Interrogative Adverbs
- Place
- Time
- Number
- Manner
- Quantity
- Cause or Reason
- Relative Adverbs
1. SIMPLE ADVERBS are used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. The can be further divided into the following classes according to their meaning.
i. TIME
The main adverbs of this class are: now, then, before, since, ago, already, soon, presently, immediately, instantly, early, late,
Example: I completed my task today.
ii. PLACE
Main Adverbs: here, there, hither, thither, in, out, within, without, above, below, outside, far, near etc.
Example: I’ll stay here.
iii. NUMBER
Main Adverbs: once, twice, thrice, again, seldom, never, sometimes, always, often, firstly, secondly etc.
Example: I shall not go there again.
iv. MANNER
Main Adverbs: Thus, so, well, badly, clearly, slowly, certainly etc.
Example: I worked hard.
v. QUANTITY
Main Adverbs: very, much, too, quite, almost, little, a little, rather, somewhat, partly, wholly etc.
Example: I am so glad today.
vi. AFFIRMATION OR NEGATION
Main Adverbs: Yes, no, not, may, not at all, by all means etc.
Example: I do not like her.
vii. REASON
Main Adverbs: hence, therefore, however etc.
Example: I therefore left the city for good.
2. INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS are used for asking questions. Following types of questions can be asked.
i. Place: Where are you going?
ii. Time: When will you go?
iii. Number: How often do you go there?
iv. Manner: How did you go?
v. Quantity: How far is this news true?
vi. Cause or Reason: Why did you go there?
3. RELATIVE ADVERBS join two sentences together. As such, it is a double part of speech, an adverb and conjunction combined.
Example: This is where I lived. Let me know when you will come.
See also: Adverbs List | Adverbs starting with a – z
Common Errors
| INCORRECT | CORRECT |
| I am prepared fully. | I am fully prepared. |
| Do not talk so loudly. | Do not talk so loud. |
| Do not run so fastly. | Do not run so fast. |
| I bow down to her wishes. | I bow to her wishes. |
| I only met her once. | I met her only once. |
| He is too good. | He is very good. |