Practice Makes Perfect

And note that the adverb homedoes not end in -ly:

We went homeafter work.

You can also identify adverbs by asking certain questions of the verb in a sentence. Ask how,

where, or when. The answer is an adverb.

How? Where? When? The Answer Adverb

Jamal got quickly to his feet.

“How did Jamal get to his feet?” quickly

She went home on the bus.

“Where did she go on the bus?” home

They arrived punctually.

“When did they arrive?” punctually

Some adverbs of time, which answer the question when, do not always end in -ly. Consider these

words: today, tomorrow, yesterday, tonight, late, early, never.

Certain adverbs, which often do not end in -ly, qualify the degreeof the meaning of an adjective or

adverb: quite, rather, very, somewhat, too:

somewhat slowly the slowness is not great but evident

rather slowly the slowness is emphasized, but it is not extreme

quite slowly the slowness is emphasized here

very slowly the slowness is extreme

too slowly the slowness is more than desired

Let’s look at how adverbs can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs:

Verbs Adjectives Adverbs

Justin walked slowly. It is an extremelystrange idea. She ran veryfast.

The boys drove home. I have a verybad cold. He sang tooquietly.

Hannah laughed loudly. It was a ratherstupid question. I sighed rathersadly.

Carmen writes carelessly. He was partiallydressed. He smiled quitecheerfully.

Change the adjective in parentheses to an adverb. Place it appropriately in the sentence.

1. My sister walked into the room. (timid)


2. We sat down next to the bed. (quiet)


3. Harvey spoke angrily to the man. (rather)

exercise 9-1

60 Practice Makes Perfect: English Grammar for ESL Learners

03 (044-061) Units 6-9 11/3/04 1:41 PM Page 60