An adverb is a word that modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

In the following sentences, pick out the adverbs and tell what each modifies.

Some words are sometimes used as adjectives and sometimes as adverbs. Examples are: loud, fast, high, next, back, little, hard, ill, best, quick, early, only, enough, much etc.

We heard a loud noise. (Loud – adjective)
He talked loud. (Loud – adverb)

Correct the following sentences and state your reason for doing so.

Avoid the use of double negatives

Two negatives should not be used in the same sentence because they destroy each other.

We should say:

Rewrite the following sentences, substituting the verb form for the words given in bold letters.

1.    The manager sent no reply for a few days.
2.    He accepted all of our proposals.
3.    His story did not give me any amusement.
4.    It is my belief that he does not mean what he says.
5.    The cost of this bag is $10.
6.    No invitation was sent to the Mayor.
7.    I don’t think that he will be successful in his attempts.

Frequency adverbs show how often something happens. Examples are: often, never, always, sometimes, generally, usually, seldom, rarely, ever, hardly ever, frequently etc. Frequency adverbs are usually placed:

a)    Before the principal verb
b)    After the verb be
c)    Between the auxiliary and the principal verb
d)    Before used to and have to

Subject + adverb + main verb + object etc.

Incorrect: Just I had finished the lesson.
Correct: I had just finished the lesson.

Explanation

The adverb just goes between the auxiliary verb and the main verb. When there are two auxiliary verbs, just goes after the first.

He has just been promoted.

Incorrect: He wondered how was it made.
Correct: He wondered how it was made.

Explanation

In a direct question we put the auxiliary verb before the subject. In an indirect question we put the auxiliary verb after the subject. Note that we do not use the question mark after an indirect question.

Note the correct use of the following adverbs

Very

Very means ‘to a great degree’. It is commonly used with adjectives or adverbs in the positive degree.

He was very nice.
She is very intelligent.
It is very small.
He did it very well.
He drove very carefully.

Besides the changes in the tenses and the pronouns, words expressing nearness in direct speech are changed into words expressing distance in indirect speech. The rules are as follows: