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BBB.1 Understand and identify adverbs in sentences

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What are adverbs?

Adverbs are words that tell more about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They often explain how, when, or where something happens.

Examples:
  • “She ran quickly to catch the bus.” (tells how she ran)
  • “We will eat lunch soon.” (tells when we will eat)
  • “The dog is playing outside.” (tells where the dog is playing)
Helpful hint

Ask yourself: “Does this word tell me more about the action or description?” If yes, it may be an adverb.

Why do writers use adverbs?

Adverbs make writing more detailed and interesting. They help readers imagine actions more clearly by showing how, when, or where something happens.

Example Sentences:
  • Without adverbs: “She sang a song.” (plain)
  • With adverbs: “She sang a song beautifully.” (more vivid)
Helpful hint

Adding adverbs makes your writing stronger, but don’t use too many—choose the ones that fit best.

Common types of adverbs

Adverbs can show different kinds of information. Here are some common types:

Adverb Types:
  • How? (manner) — quickly, slowly, carefully
  • When? (time) — today, yesterday, soon
  • Where? (place) — here, outside, nearby
  • How often? (frequency) — always, sometimes, never
Helpful hint

Many adverbs end in -ly, but not all. Be sure to look carefully at how the word is used in the sentence.

Putting it all together

Good writers use adverbs to add meaning and detail. Adverbs help readers picture actions clearly and understand when, where, or how they happen.

Examples:
  • “The children laughed happily as they played.”
  • “I will finish my homework later.”
  • “He placed the book carefully on the shelf.”
Helpful hint

Remember: Adverbs make your writing stronger by giving your reader more details about actions.

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