Adverbs

Classification of Adverbs | Adverbs Exercises | Adverbs List

A word that modifies the meaning of a verb, adjective or another adverb is called an Adverb.

1. Milkha runs quickly.
2. This is very cold ice-cream.
3. Gayatri speaks quite clearly.

In the above examples quickly in the first sentence, very in the second sentence and quite in the third sentence modifies run the verb, cold the adjective and clearly an adverb respectively.

Classification of Adverbs

Adverbs can be further classified according to their meaning.

1. Adverb of Time

Those adverbs that give the expression of time are known as Adverbs of time.

1. You may have heard this before.
2. We should now start the assignment.
3. I go their daily.
4. I hurt my elbow yesterday.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of time.

2. Adverb of Frequency

Those adverbs that give the expression of quantity (often, seldom, always, again, frequently etc.) are known as Adverbs of frequency.

1. Raman seldom goes to temple.
2. I have told him twice to come to the office.
3. One should always try to do his best.
4. I hurt her only once.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of frequency.

3. Adverb of Place

Those adverbs that give the expression of place (here, there, everywhere, away, backward etc.) are known as Adverbs of place.

1. Stand there.
2. My father is out.
3. Please come in.
4. I looked up the sky.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of place.

4. Adverb of Manner

Those adverbs that show how or in what way (clearly, bravely, agreeably, soundly etc.) are known as Adverbs of Manner.

1. Gayatri reads clearly.
2. Indian fought bravely and defeated the enemies.
3. One should never do so.
4. He always slept soundly.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of Manner.

5. Adverb of Degree or Quantity

Those adverbs that convey the expression of how much, or in what degree or to what extent, are known as adverb of degree.

1. Gayatri is fully prepared to take up his opponent.
2. Banana is almost ripe.
3. She plays quite well.
4. He is as intelligent as anybody in the college.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of Quantity or degree.

6. Adverb of Affirmation and/or Negation

Those adverbs that give the expression of Affirmation and Negation are known as adverb of Affirmation and/or Negation.

1. Surely he was mistaken in that matter.
2. I will certainly go the Zoo.
3. We do not have whole day to wait for his speech.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of Affirmation and/or Negation.

7. Adverb of Reason

Those adverbs that convey some kind of reason are known as adverb of Reason.

1. I therefore left photography.

In the above examples the words in bold represent the adverbs of Reason

Adverbs mentioned in the above categories need not necessarily belong to one specific class. Same adverbs can belong to more than one category. It all depends how they are used.

1. He sings delightfully
2. The weather is delightfully warm.

Adverb delightfully falls in the category of Manner in the first example and of Degree in the second example.

Practice exercises of Adverbs

• Adverb Exercise 1
• Adverb Exercise 2
• Adverb Exercise 3