What Are Adverbs?

Adverbs are words like tomorrow, daily, badly, once and too. They tell us more about other words, especially verbs.

• The child smiled sweetly. (The adverb sweetly modifies the verb smiled.)
• She walked slowly. (The adverb slowly modifies the verb walked.)
• He talked politely. (The adverb politely modifies the verb talked.)

Sometimes adverbs modify adjectives.

• It was a very important question. (The adverb very modifies the adjective important.)
• You are so sweet. (The adverb so modifies the adjective sweet.)

Adverbs can also modify other adverbs.

• He walked very slowly. (The adverb very modifies the adverb slowly.)
• She sang extremely well. (The adverb extremely modifies the adverb well.)