Adverb Uses
Modifiers to other words
Words Modified by Adverbs
| WORD MODIFIED | INFORMATION ADDED | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
a verb |
how? (manner) |
He spoke solemnly. |
an adjective |
how much? (to what degree or extent) |
He is very talkative. |
an adverb |
how much? (to what degree or extent) |
He speaks too slowly |
a preposition |
exact time or place? |
He arrived exactly at midnight. |
a preposition |
more precisely who, where or when? |
This is approximately where I found it. (about) |
a clause |
how? (to what degree or extent) |
Perhaps, he is done, but we'd better ask to be sure. |
a sentence |
when? where? how? |
Suddenly, everyone started clapping. |
Word Order
Placement matters — it changes the meaning!
| BEFORE A VERB | BEFORE AN ADJECTIVE |
|---|---|
|
Nearly could modify either passed (verb) or all (adj. / determiner). |
Place the word as near as possible to the word it modifies:
| WORD MODIFIED | RECOMMENDED PLACEMENT | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
an adjective |
precedes the word it modifies |
She passed nearly all her exams. (She passed most of them.) |
an adverb |
precedes the word it modifies |
She passed very nearly all her exams. (She passed most of them.) |
a preposition |
precedes the word it modifies |
She passed her exams nearly on time. (She was late.) |
a conjunction |
precedes the word it modifies |
She took her exams exactly where I took them. |
a verb |
precedes the word it modifies |
She nearly passed all her exams. (She passed none.) |
an auxiliary + verb |
placed after auxiliary and before main verb |
She could barely pass her exams. (She passed.) |
an infinitive |
placed after "to" or after infinitive |
She wanted to really do well. /She wanted to do really well. |
Related pages: Adv for Manner | Adv for Time | Adv for Place | Adv for Degree | Splitting Verbs
Practice
Identifying Modified Words
Which word does the adverb modify?
- Select the option that best answers the question.
- Compare your answer to the comment in the feedback box.