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

An adverb is a word that tells us more about an action. It tells us where, when, why, how often, and to what degree an action is performed.

Behavioural objectives

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

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

What are the types of adverb?

In other words, we can have adverbs of manner (how), frequency (how often), reason (why), time (when), degree (to what degree) and place (where).

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

Adverbs of time

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

Examples: suddenly, immediately, since, before, after, when, etc.

• 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.

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency tell us how often a thing is done. They usually come before the verb in a sentence. But if the verb is a word like ‘am’, ‘is’, ‘are’, ‘was’, ‘were’, ‘have’ or ‘has’, the adverb of frequency comes after it. For example: The weather is usually hot in March.

Other examples of adverbs of frequency are in these sentences:

• I never arrive late for class.
• I seldom arrive late for class.
• It sometimes rains in January.
• I usually get up at half past six.
• I often get high marks for my work.
• I frequently ask questions in class.
• I always go to the house.
• She occasionally visits her pastor.
• We normally play musical instruments.
• They rarely go to church.

Adverbs of manner

Adverbs of manner tell us how a thing is done. They usually come after the verb in a sentence.

Examples:

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

Evaluation

Make a sentence with each of the following adverbs.

1. Usually
2. Often
3. Scarcely
4. Bodily
5. Silently

Assignment

Reading assignment: Exam Focus, pages 63 to 65 (Adverbs).

Reference

English Grammar for J.S.S, pages 53 and 54.