Word
adverb
Phoneticsad·verb, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈædvɝb/
UK/ˈædvɜːb/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a part of speech that describes or adds information to a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It usually explains how, when, where, or how often something happens.
n. a part of speech that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an entire clause. It typically expresses manner, place, time, frequency, or degree.
Examples
“In the sentence "she ran quickly," the word "quickly" is an adverb.”
“When learning English grammar, you will notice that many adverbs of manner end in the letters "ly".”
“The placement of an adverb within a sentence can subtly shift its emphasis, distinguishing a sentence-modifying disjunct from a simple modifier of the verb.”
Examples
simple
“In the sentence "she ran quickly," the word "quickly" is an adverb.”
contextual
“When learning English grammar, you will notice that many adverbs of manner end in the letters "ly".”
complex
“The placement of an adverb within a sentence can subtly shift its emphasis, distinguishing a sentence-modifying disjunct from a simple modifier of the verb.”
Real-World Examples
“Gradable adverbs such as ‘rather’, ‘quite’ and ‘awfully’ are disappearing from our speech, according to linguistics professor Paul Baker.” “Adverbs are, in general, considered weak parts of speech, at least per Strunk and White’s controversial dictum, “Write with nouns and verbs, not with adjectives and adverbs.” “Adverbs are a vital component of a writer’s toolkit,’ she asserts.” “The placement of adverbs has once again become a topic of public debate, with numerous articles and letters to the editor emerging alongside heated discussions.” Etymology
From French adverbe, from Latin adverbium, from ad- (“to”) + verbum (“word, verb”), so called because it is used to supplement other words. By surface analysis, ad- + verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/adverb