SparkNotes: Free Study Guides No Fear Shakespeare: The Bard made easy SparkCharts: Just the facts TestPrep: SAT, ACT, and more 101s: College texts condensed Subject Finder: Browse by subject SparkCollege: Get in! SparkLife: 100% study-free home_bottom home_top BN_link
 
Abbreviations
 
 
Common Errors
 
 
Formatting
 
 
Parts of Speech
 
 
Punctuation
 
 
Usage
 
 
 
 
Home : Ultimate Style : Parts of Speech : Adverbs
 
 

Parts of Speech

◄ PREVIOUS
Adjectives
NEXT ►
Appositives
 
Adverbs
Adverbs describe or modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
• smoothly, very, often, hopefully
Many adverbs have three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative.
• little (positive), less (comparative), least (superlative)
• beautifully (positive), more beautifully (comparative), most beautifully (superlative)
Comparisons
When comparing two (and only two) things, use a comparative adverb.
• Sheldon sings more beautifully than his brother does.
When comparing three or more things, use a superlative adverb.
• Of all the kids in fourth grade, Sheldon’s brother lies the most smoothly.
Some adverbs don’t have comparative or superlative degrees. These include time-related adverbs like immediately, now, last, first, and so on.
Incorrect: Firstliest, Quentin read aloud from his journal.
• First, Quentin read aloud from his journal.

Use adverbs only in moderation, particularly when you’re writing dialogue. It’s much better to use said over and over than to fill your dialogue with words like despairingly, encouragingly, huffily, and so on. Try to convey the mood you’re after without relying on adverbs. Instead of writing, “To hell with you!” Ursula cried furiously, try something like “To hell with you!” Ursula cried, throwing her plate across the room.

Placement in Sentence
Be sure to put an adverb as close as possible to the word it is modifying. Otherwise, confusion may result.
Unclear: Gabrielle likes to show off secretly.
It’s not clear whether Gabrielle likes to show off in secret or whether she secretly likes the opportunity to show off.
Clear: Gabrielle secretly likes to show off.
Also Clear: Gabrielle likes to show off in secret.
Verb Phrases
When modifying a verb phrase like could appreciate, will do, should land, and so on, you can put the adverb right before the verb. Don’t worry that you’re creating the equivalent of a split infinitive—you’re not.
•  The Lost Boys could potentially appreciate Hook’s good qualities.
•  Wendy swears she will definitely do the dishes sometime soon.
•  Peter should certainly land in Neverland by five o’clock tonight.

 

Parts of Speech

◄ PREVIOUS
Adjectives
NEXT ►
Appositives
 
 
 
Punctuation Problems message board
Ask a question or post an answer on the community boards.
 
Writing Help
A blog about grammar, writing, and your papers.
 
 
 
Can't face the work right now? Waste a few minutes with us.
Life
It's already July
Better get cracking on that summer fling
 
Life
"You look tired"
Translation: "You look absolutely horrible."
 
Books
James pulls the old mom's-voice-playing-on-a-VHS trick
And Dan can't believe Bella falls for it
 
 
Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | About | Sitemap
©2009 SparkNotes LLC, All Rights Reserved.