Common Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs only describe or modify verbs that show actions. There are five commonly considered Kinds of Adverbs.

1. Adverbs of Manner- these adverbs tell us how an action is done in the sentence.

My boss shouted angrily at the lazy workers. 

The adverb angrily is an Adverb of Manner because it tells us how or in what manner the boss shouted at his lazy workers.

Other examples of Adverbs of Manner: hungrily, fast, well, quietly, loudly

Note: Most words that end in -ly are Adverbs of Manner. However, words like lonely, friendly and deadly are adjectives.

2. Adverbs of Time- tell us when an action in the sentence is done.

Sheila and Ruth submitted their Science projects yesterday.

Yesterday in this sentence is an Adverb of Time because it tells us when Sheila and Ruth, submitted their projects.

But, Adverbs of Time can also modify an adjective.

My father was ecstatic yesterday.

Here, the adverb yesterday tells us when my father was ecstatic, which is an adjective.

Other examples of Adverbs of Time: soon, tomorrow, tonight, next week, now

3. Adverbs of Place- tell us where an action happened.

Please put my bag here.

The word here in this sentence tells us where the subject wants the bag to be placed. Therefore, it is an Adverb of Place.

Adverbs of Place can also be used to modify adjectives. Study the sentence below.

James is happy here. He doesn't want to leave.

Other examples of Adverbs of Place: there, inside, outside, upstairs

4. Adverbs of Degree- tell us the degree or to what extent an action happens.

She hardly passed the test.

The adverb hardly in this sentence shows to what extent did she pass the test. 

Note: Adverbs of Degree are also used to modify:

Adjectives

My girlfriend is very beautiful.

The weather is really hot.

and other Adverbs

She drives extremely fast.

Doug left the building very quickly.

Other examples of Adverbs of Degree: too, just, completely

5. Adverbs of Frequency- tell us how often an action takes place.

She always wears a necklace.

Always is an Adverb of Frequency because it answers the question-How often does she wear a necklace?

Adverbs of Frequency also modify adjectives.

Jenna is never tired of supporting her parents.

Other examples of Adverbs of Frequency: seldom, often, never, sometimes

Adverbs can also come in forms of phrases and clauses. They are called Adverbial Phrases and Adverbial Clauses.

Note: Adverbs, just like adjectives, also have comparative and superlative degrees.