Adverbs: Definition, Identification and Types – JSS1 English Lesson Note (First Term)

An adverb is a word that tells us more about a verb (an action), an adjective or another adverb. It tells us how, when, where, why, how often or to what degree something is done.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define an adverb;
2. name the types of adverb: time, frequency and manner;
3. identify adverbs of time, frequency and manner in sentences;
4. state where adverbs of frequency and adverbs of manner usually come in a sentence;
5. make correct sentences with adverbs.

What is an adverb?

An adverb is a word that adds meaning to a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

• With a verb: She sings beautifully.
• With an adjective: The soup is very hot.
• With another adverb: He ran quite quickly.

What are the types of adverb?

There are six common types of adverb: manner, frequency, reason, time, degree and place.

• Manner (how): tells how an action is done, as in “She walked slowly.”
• Frequency (how often): tells how often an action happens, as in “I often read.”
• Time (when): tells when an action happens, as in “He came yesterday.”
• Place (where): tells where an action happens, as in “The children are playing outside.”
• Degree (to what degree): tells how much, as in “The water is very cold.”
• Reason (why): tells why something happens, as in “It rained, therefore the match stopped.”

In this lesson, we shall study adverbs of time, frequency and manner.

What are adverbs of time?

Adverbs of time tell us when a thing is done or when a thing happens.

Examples of adverbs of time

• Suddenly: A thing happens suddenly when it happens without warning. No one expects it.
• Immediately: This means that something happens without any delay. It happens at once, straight away.
• Soon: A thing happens after only a short time.
• After a time: This means “later on”. We do not know how much time passes before the thing happens.
• Now: at this moment, as in “Come now.”
• Today, yesterday, tomorrow: name the day, as in “We write the test tomorrow.”
• Later: after the present time, as in “I will call you later.”

Sentences with adverbs of time

• The lights went off suddenly.
• Please come immediately.
• The bell will ring soon.

What are adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often a thing is done.

Where do adverbs of frequency come in a sentence?

1. They usually come before the main verb: “I never arrive late for class.”
2. They come after the verbs “am”, “is”, “are”, “was” and “were”: “The weather is usually hot in March.”
3. When a helping verb such as “have” or “has” is used, the adverb comes after it: “She has never missed school.”

Examples of adverbs of frequency

• Always: every time. “I always go to the house.”
• Usually: most times. “I usually get up at half past six.”
• Normally: in the usual way. “We normally play musical instruments.”
• Often: many times. “I often get high marks for my work.”
• Frequently: very often. “I frequently ask questions in class.”
• Sometimes: now and then. “It sometimes rains in January.”
• Occasionally: once in a while. “She occasionally visits her pastor.”
• Seldom: not often. “I seldom arrive late for class.”
• Rarely: not often. “They rarely go to church.”
• Never: not at any time. “I never arrive late for class.”

What are adverbs of manner?

Adverbs of manner tell us how a thing is done.

Where do adverbs of manner come in a sentence?

• After the verb: “She walked slowly.”
• After the object, if there is one: “She ate her food hurriedly.”

Examples of adverbs of manner

• He ran quickly.
• She walked slowly.
• She runs fast.
• She ate her food hurriedly.
• They sang loudly.

How are many adverbs of manner formed?

• Add -ly to an adjective: quick becomes quickly, slow becomes slowly, loud becomes loudly.
• Some have no change: “fast” is both an adjective and an adverb, as in “a fast runner” and “She runs fast.”

How do we identify an adverb in a sentence?

To identify an adverb, find the verb and ask how, when or how often the action happens.

1. Find the verb in the sentence.
2. Ask “How?”, “When?” or “How often?” about the verb.
3. The word that answers the question is the adverb.
4. Name the type from the question: how is manner, when is time, how often is frequency.

Worked examples

• They sang loudly. How did they sing? Loudly (manner).
• I often get high marks. How often do I get high marks? Often (frequency).
• The bell will ring soon. When will it ring? Soon (time).

Evaluation

1. Make a sentence with each of these adverbs: usually, often, scarcely, bodily, silently.
2. Name the three types of adverb studied in this lesson.
3. Where does an adverb of frequency usually come in a sentence? Give one example.
4. Pick out the adverb in each sentence and name its type: (a) She spoke softly. (b) We never eat late. (c) He left immediately.

Assignment

Write six sentences: two with adverbs of time, two with adverbs of frequency and two with adverbs of manner. Underline each adverb.

Reference

• Exam Focus, pages 63 to 65 (Adverbs).
• English Grammar for J.S.S, pages 53 and 54.