HOW TO TELL ADVERBS

283. We need not have much difficulty in always being able to tell which words in a sentence are adverbs, for they will always answer one of the following questions: How? When? Where? Why? How long? How often? How much? How far? or How little? etc. Just ask one of these questions and the word that answers it is the adverb in your sentence. Take the following sentence:

The word always answers the question when. So always is an adverb, describing the time of the action expressed in the verb came—He always came. Down answers the question where. So down is the adverb describing the place of the action. Rapidly answers the question how, and is the adverb describing the manner of the action. Too also answers the question how, and modifies the adverb rapidly.

Exercise 1

Underscore the adverbs in the following sentences and tell which word they modify:

  1. He writes correctly.
  2. She answered quickly.
  3. A very wonderful future awaits us.
  4. You should not speak so hastily.
  5. You can speak freely here.
  6. He could never wait patiently.
  7. We very often make mistakes.
  8. She very seldom goes there.
  9. He usually walks very rapidly.
  10. I have read the lesson quite carefully.
  11. We would willingly and cheerfully give our all for the cause.
  12. He frequently comes here but I do not expect him today.
  13. If we work diligently and faithfully we will soon learn to speak correctly and fluently.
  14. I am almost sure I can go there tomorrow.
  15. It was more beautifully painted than the other.
  16. We eagerly await the news from the front.
  17. He always gladly obeyed his father.
  18. She spoke quite simply and met with a very enthusiastic reception.
  19. The difficulty can be easily and readily adjusted.