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An adverb is a word that modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs within a sentence. Sometimes adverbs modify a clause or an entire sentence. The most frequently recognized adverbs end in -ly. Adverbs often describe a verb by telling how, how much, how often, when, or where the verb is done.

Adverbs most commonly modify verbs. They describe the action of the verb.

  • Ex. 2.1. He ran quickly. The adverb quickly modifies the verb ran. It describes how he ran.

Find the adverb in this sentence: Alice left angrily before Jenny noticed she was missing.

Create your own sentence using an adverb that describes the action of the verb.


Adverbs may also modify adjectives.

  • Ex. 2.2. This sandwich tastes very good. The adverb very modifies the adjective good.

Create several phrases using adverbs that modify adjectives.

Use one of your phrases in a sentence.


Adverbs can even modify other adverbs.

  • Ex. 2.3. She worked quite hard on her assignment. The adverb quite modifies the adverb hard.

Create a sentence using the adverbs very and quickly. Let one adverb modify the other adverb.


Conjunctive adverbs connect sentences or clauses by adding, comparing, or contrasting elements within the sentences. They may signal the result of what a previous signal offered, or may insert a reference of time in the sentences. Common conjunctive adverbs are furthermore, moreover, however, nonetheless, similarly, therefore, thus, and meanwhile.

  • Ex. 2.4. I have found that results in this experiment support my hypothesis. However, the subjects have not responded in the manner that I had expected.
  • Ex. 2.5. You did not complete the project assigned for today. Therefore, your grade will be affected.

Write two sentences. Begin the second sentence with a conjunctive adverb to show the connection of ideas.


Created by Cindy Montgomery