Adverbs

Adverbs are used to describe actions. They may come before or after a verb, but not between a verb and its object.

• Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Most common word order.)
• Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Also possible.)
• Mrs. Jenner softly sang a lullaby.
• Mrs. Jenner sang a lullaby softly.
• Mrs. Jenner sang softly a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Adverbs may come between a main verb and its auxiliaries.

• Mrs. Jenner is softly singing a lullaby.
• Mrs. Jenner softly is singing a lullaby. (Not correct.)
• Mrs. Jenner has been softly singing that lullaby for a long time.

Some time and frequency adverbs are “movable.” That is, they can be placed at various points in a sentence.

• Yesterday I visited the dentist.
• I visited the dentist yesterday.
• Jack Prompt is here already.
• Jack Prompt is already here.

Caution: Even though some adverbs can be used in certain sentence positions, others can not.

• I yesterday visited the dentist. (Not okay.)
• I already visited the dentist. (Okay.)
• Already I visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

Adverbs such as quite, very, really, extremely, and absolutely are used to modify adjectives and other adverbs.

• They come directly before the words they describe.
• Greg is quite happy with his new boss.
• Sue eats very slowly.
• You’re absolutely right!

Many adverbs can be formed by adding –ly to adjectives: