Definition · Plain-language
Adverb
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb, telling us how, when, where or to what degree — words such as quickly, very and yesterday.
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What adverbs modify
An adverb adds detail to a verb, an adjective or another adverb — never to a noun, which is the job of an adjective. Modifying a verb, it tells how, when or where the action happens: "she spoke softly", "they arrived late". Modifying an adjective, it shows degree: "a very long meeting". Modifying another adverb, it does the same: "he ran almost impossibly fast". This ability to modify three different word classes makes the adverb the most versatile of the parts of speech. The clearest signal that a word is an adverb is that it answers how, when, where, how often or to what degree about whatever it attaches to.
Types of adverb
Adverbs are usually grouped by the question they answer. Adverbs of manner describe how something happens (carefully, well, badly). Adverbs of time say when (now, yesterday, soon). Adverbs of place say where (here, outside, everywhere). Adverbs of frequency say how often (always, often, never). Adverbs of degree say how much or to what extent (very, quite, almost, too). A further group, sentence adverbs such as honestly, fortunately and however, modify a whole sentence rather than one word, often expressing the writer’s attitude. Knowing the categories helps with word order, since different types tend to sit in different positions in a sentence.
Formation and a common confusion
Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to an adjective: quick becomes quickly, careful becomes carefully. But the -ly ending is not a reliable test. Some adverbs have no -ly (fast, hard, soon, well), and some -ly words are actually adjectives (friendly, lonely, lovely). The most common error is using an adjective where an adverb is needed: "drive safe" instead of "drive safely", or "she sings good" instead of "she sings well". The rule is that you modify a verb with an adverb, not an adjective. Good is the adjective; well is its adverb — a distinction careful speakers and writers maintain.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: a word that modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb
- Answers: how, when, where, how often or to what degree
- Types: manner, time, place, frequency, degree, and sentence adverbs
- Often formed by: adding -ly to an adjective (quick → quickly)
- But not always: fast, well, soon and hard are adverbs without -ly
- Does not modify: nouns — that is the job of an adjective
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Every word ending in -ly is an adverb.
Actually: Some -ly words are adjectives, such as friendly, lonely and lovely, which describe nouns. The ending is a clue, not a rule; check what the word modifies.
Often heard: An adverb can describe a noun, like an adjective.
Actually: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs, never nouns. To describe a noun you need an adjective: "a quick runner" (adjective) versus "she runs quickly" (adverb).
Often heard: It is fine to say "drive safe" or "she sings good".
Actually: These need adverbs, because they modify verbs: "drive safely" and "she sings well". Good is an adjective; the matching adverb is well.
Going deeper
