An adverb is a word that modifies (gives more information about) a verb in a sentence.

Example:

• She is singing a song.
• She is singing a song loudly.

The adverb “loudly” in the 2nd sentence modifies the verb “sing” by giving us more information that the song is being sung in a loud voice. Such a word is called an adverb.

Adverbs modify a verb by giving us information about the following aspects of a verb.

• How an action occurs.
• Where an action occurs.
• When an action occurs.
• How often an action occurs.

Based on the above aspects of modification, adverbs have the following four types:

These adverbs describe the manner, in which, an action occurs or the way of the occurrence of an action.

e.g., happily, sadly, sympathetically, harshly, carefully, carelessly, rudely, nicely, decently, etc.

Examples:

• They are living happily.
• She completed the task easily.
• He behaved rudely.
• She treats kids sympathetically.
• He is driving carelessly.
• Students were listening to the lecture carefully.
• She speaks nicely.
• They painted the wall beautifully.
• He shouted angrily.

These adverbs give information about the place of occurrence of an action.

e.g., here, there, near, nearby outside, inside, bottom, top, ahead, somewhere, beneath, etc.

Examples:

• They came here.
• Someone is talking outside.
• They live somewhere in Paris.
• He went downstairs.
• Please come inside.
• He stood there.
• They parked the car nearby.
• Visitors came from near and far.

These adverbs state the time of occurrence of the action. It may give a sharp or rough idea about the time of an action.

e.g., soon, late, today, tonight, early, tomorrow, yesterday, then, now, etc.

Examples:

• I met him yesterday.
• He will go to school tomorrow.
• I need your help now.
• He will come soon.
• The patient is feeling good today.
• I am still waiting for my friend.
• We will solve the problem soon.
• She is sleeping now.

These adverbs express the frequency of occurrence of an action. It tells how often (how many times) an action occurs.

e.g., daily, weekly, seldom, frequently, usually, sometimes, most of the time, again and again, often, etc.

Examples:

• I go for a walk daily.
• He usually sleeps in the day.
• They always help poor people.
• She tried again and again to win the game.
• They come here too often.
• He frequently complained about the problem.
• She frequently asked the same question.
• He always speaks the truth.
• She never eats vegetables.
• He is calling me again and again.
• People seldom watch television these days.
• He sometimes sends me a letter.