Kinds of Adverbs

Can you identify the adverbs in the following sentences? ‘Radha works fast’, ‘Sachin does his homework regularly’. Yes, you are right, the adverbs are ‘fast’ and ‘regularly’! But, did you know that they are different kinds of adverbs? Let’s learn about the different kinds of adverbs and how to distinguish them.

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Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs are broadly divided into three classes – Simple, Interrogative and Relative. The majority of adverbs belong to the simple adverbs category. Let’s dive in and learn about the kinds of adverbs in detail.

Simple Adverbs

These are further divided into the following kinds of adverbs.

Adverbs Of Time

These adverbs answer the question of ‘when’ an action took place. Examples –

• We will go to a movie tonight.
• She went shopping yesterday.
• Max likes to finish his work early.
• Aarti will be back from work soon.
• May I go home now?

Adverbs Of Place

These adverbs answer the question of ‘where’ an action takes place. Examples –

• I searched for my lost pen everywhere.
• The lady went inside her house.
• Let’s go out.
• He went downstairs to the basement.
• It was too crowded here, so they went there.

Adverbs Of Frequency

These adverbs answer the question of ‘how often’ an action takes place. Examples –

• Mike practices the violin regularly.
• My grandparents visit us frequently.
• She has only been to the theatre once.
• I go to the park often.
• My friends will come again.

[Source: flickr]

Adverbs Of Manner

These adverbs answer the question of ‘how’ or ‘in what manner’ an action takes place. Examples:

• Rohit speaks English fluently.
• Her uncle is seriously ill.
• I was terribly upset with my brother.
• The soldiers fought the war bravely.
• You should handle fragile items carefully.

Adverbs of Degree Or Extent

These adverbs answer the question of ‘how much’ or ‘in what degree’ a quality is described or an action is performed. They mostly appear before the verb, adjective or other adverbs they describe. These can further be divided into low, medium or high degree adverbs.

Low Degree Adverbs

• It is a bit chilly outside.
• Your question confused me a little.
• Shikha is least interested in sports.
• He was slightly feverish yesterday.
• We were somewhat surprised by his behaviour.

Medium Degree Adverbs

• This room is sufficiently big.
• Her dress is pretty expensive.
• The ceiling in this room is fairly high.
• She looked rather nice yesterday.
• This pasta is quite tasty.

High Degree Adverbs

• Manish really loves reading books.
• I am very sorry I couldn’t come yesterday.
• She is extremely beautiful.
• He is too weak to walk.
• Shikha is immensely talented.

Adverbs Of Reason

These adverbs answer the question of ‘why’ an action takes place.

• She didn’t go to school because it was raining.
• He did not study, therefore he failed his exams.
• Sudha is ill, hence she will not come today.
• We are not talking since we fought two days ago.
• The lights stopped working, thus the match was cancelled.

Interrogative Adverbs

These adverbs are used to ask questions and are placed at the beginning of a sentence.

• How is your brother now?
• Why didn’t she come last night?
• Where is my bag?
• When did you go to Malaysia?
• How long was your flight to India?

Relative Adverbs

As the name suggests, these adverbs relate or connect two clauses or two sentences. They are called relative adverbs because they refer to something mentioned earlier. They are where, when and why.

• This is the village where I grew up.
• I don’t remember when I went to bed last night.
• Do you know the reason why the shops are closed today?
• She remembers the day when she first met her husband.
• I know the hospital where my brother was born.

Solved Examples For You

Question: Identify the adverbs in the following sentences and state the kind of adverb.

• Arjun usually walks to school.
• Megha dances gracefully.
• We are moving to a new house soon.
• Keep the vase here.
• I woke up late since it is a holiday.
• When is the next bus to college?
• I remember the summer when it was scorching hot.
• She is extremely tall.

Solution:

• Arjun usually walks to school. (Adverb of frequency)
• Megha dances gracefully. (Adverb of manner)
• We are moving to a new house soon. (Adverb of time)
• Keep the vase here. (Adverb of place)
• I woke up late since it is a holiday. (late – Adverb of time, since – Adverb of reason)
• When is the next bus to college? (Interrogative adverb)
• I remember the summer when it was scorching hot. (Relative adverb)
• She is extremely tall. (Adverb of degree)