Adjective or adverb | CBSE English Grammar

An adjective is a word used to modify a noun. It usually goes before the noun it modifies.

Study the examples given below.

• Shyam is a clever boy.

Here the adjective clever modifies the noun boy. The adjective usually shows some quality of the noun.

Another example is given below.

• Maya is a kind girl.

Here the adjective kind modifies the noun girl.

An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

Most words ending in –ly are adverbs. Adverbs indicate ideas such as time, manner, place, frequency, cause etc.

Study the examples given below.

• He ran fast.

Here the adverb fast modifies the verb ran.

• I am quite happy with my performance.

Here the adverb quite modifies the adjective happy.

• She was walking rather slowly.

Here the adverb rather modifies another adverb – slowly. The adverb slowly modifies the verb walking.

This grammar exercise tests your ability to recognize adjective and adverbs.

An example is given below.

1. He drives fast.

a) Here fast is an adjective

b) Here fast is an adverb

Answer: b)

Here fast is an adverb. It modifies the verb drives.