1. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Adverbs: Part One
Definition
Adverbs give more information about verbs.
Example
Jill walks slowly.
Explanation
Adverbs --
• describe the action of a verb.
• usually end in "ly."
• have irregular forms.
• usually follow the verb they describe.
2. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE — Examples
Adverbs: Part One
Sentences using regular adverbs
Example Sentence Adverb
Benjamin runs quickly. quickly
My teenage daughter drives carefully. carefully
Bart sings loudly in the shower. loudly
The cat walks quietly in the house. quietly
The server brings us our food slowly. slowly
Sentences using irregular adverbs
Example Sentence Adverb
The boy hits the ball hard. hard
Heather swims fast. fast
My father wakes up early. early
My mother wakes up late. late
Shondra plays the piano well. well
3. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE — Exercises
Adverbs: Part One
Answer the following questions to check your knowledge of adverbs.
Choose the adverbs in the following sentences.
Example
The receptionist answers the telephone constantly.
receptionist
telephone
constantly
answers
The correct answer is "constantly".
1. The server clears the table quickly.
server
table
quickly
clears
2. The boat sails slowly across the water.
slowly
sails
across
boat
3. The children play noisily in the corner.
children
corner
in
4. noisily
4. The chef skillfully cuts the meat.
cuts
skillfully
chef
the
5. The tourists talk happily about their trip.
talk
about
happily
tourists
Choose the correct word to complete the sentences.
6. The mountain is ______ to climb.
hard
hardly
7. The family plays ______ together.
well
good
8. Cars move ______ along the highway.
fastly
fast
9. I wake up ______ every morning.
earlily
early
5. 10 Grant is ______ for work after lunch.
.
late
lately
6. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE
Adverbs: Part Two
Definition
Adverbs describe how, when, where, and how often an action happens.
Example
Gerry often plays badminton at lunch.
Explanation
Adverbs --
• answer the questions: When? How often? How long? and Where?
• can come at the beginning, end, or in the middle of a sentence.
7. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE — Examples
Adverbs: Part Two
Adverbs of Time: When?
after (later than) I'll phone you after work.
already (at some past time) I already saw that movie.
during (at the same time) I phoned John during the TV commercial.
I've been waiting for six weeks, but I
finally (in the end) finally got a letter from my friend
travelling in Europe.
They just got married. Now they are
just (close past)
leaving on their honeymoon.
last (the most recent) Last night I went out for dinner.
Why don't we go for coffee later? I can't go
later (after a time)
now.
next (nearest in future) I'm going to Hawaii next week.
Why don't we go for coffee later? I can't go
now (at this time, present)
now.
Judy recently won a big prize for her latest
recently (close past)
novel.
Soon I'll be on holidays and then we can go
soon (close future)
to Paris.
Soon I'll be on holidays and then we can go
then (at that time, future or past)
to Paris.
8. tomorrow (the next day, future) Tomorrow is my birthday.
when (at that time, past or future) Call me when you finish your homework.
while (at the same time) While you were out, your girlfriend called.
Did you watch the hockey game on TV
yesterday (the day before, past)
yesterday?
Adverbs of Time: Frequency (How often?)
Shown in order of most often to least often
always I always have lunch at 12 o'clock.
often I see Jane often. She works in the same
building as I do.
every I have dinner at my grandmother's house
every Thursday.
once a ______ I have dinner with my grandmother once a
week.
usually When I visit my grandmother, we usually
watch TV after dinner.
sometimes Sometimes my grandmother and I play
cards.
from time to time I see Tom from time to time. I saw him a
month ago.
seldom I seldom see Mary. I can't remember the
last time I saw her.
rarely I rarely see Jim. He lives 50 kilometres
from me and I haven't seen him in two
9. years.
never I will never go to that restaurant again. It
was terrible!
Adverbs of Time: Duration (How long?)
for (amount of time) The doctor told Tom to stay in bed for
three days.
forever (all time) Tom wants to live in Canada forever.
from ___ to ____ Mary is going to be in Tokyo from April 1
to April 21.
since (action begins at a specific Tom has been afraid of heights since last
time in the past) year, when he fell off a ladder and broke
his leg.
still (action continues) Mary is still on holidays. She returns next
week.
until (action finishes at a specific We can't leave the children until the
point) babysitter arrives.
Adverbs of Place: (Where?)
everywhere (in all places) Flowers are blossoming everywhere in
the city.
here (the place you are) Bring the letter here, so I can read it.
there (a place far from you) Jack was there this morning. Do you
know where he is now?
10. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE — Exercises
Adverbs: Part Two
Answer the following questions to check your knowledge of adverbs.
Choose the adverbs in the following sentences.
Example
I am going on holiday soon.
holiday
going
soon
on
The correct answer is "soon".
1. I rarely eat meat.
I
meat
rarely
eat
2. I want to go there for dinner.
there
go
for
dinner
3. I seldom eat dinner at that restaurant.
at
that
seldom
11. restaurant
4. I just returned from a wonderful trip to Europe.
just
from
wonderful
trip
5. What are you doing here?
here
doing
what
are
Choose the type of adverb used in each of the following sentences.
6. Angela seldom works in the office.
adverb of frequency (how often)
adverb of time (when)
adverb of place (where)
adverb of duration (how long)
7. George will be tired when he arrives.
adverb of frequency (how often)
adverb of time (when)
adverb of place (where)
adverb of duration (how long)
8. I never have time to exercise.
adverb of frequency (how often)
adverb of time (when)
adverb of place (where)
12. adverb of duration (how long)
9. We have to work until we finish the project.
adverb of frequency (how often)
adverb of time (when)
adverb of place (where)
adverb of duration (how long)
10. Tim feels tired because he just woke up.
adverb of frequency (how often)
adverb of time (when)
adverb of place (where)
adverb of duration (how long)