Adverbs that modify adjectives in English Grammar
Adverbs modifying adjectives are important in language because they add additional information about the adjective, such as how, to what extent, or in what manner the adjective is being used.
An adverb modifies an adjective by providing more information about the adjective. For example, "She is extremely happy" the adverb "extremely" modifies the adjective "happy" by describing the degree of happiness.
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adjectives:
- "He is extremely tall." (modifying the degree of tallness)
- "She is very beautiful." (modifying the degree of beauty)
- "It's quite cold today." (modifying the degree of coldness)
Special cases:
- Adverb can come before or after adjective
- "He is very tall."
- "He is tall very."
- Adverb can come before or after the verb.
- "He is extremely happy."
- "He extremely is happy."
Common Mistakes:
- Confusing adverbs with adjectives:
- "He is very good." (incorrect, "good" is an adjective, should be "well")
- Improper placement of adverbs:
- "He is extremely happy always." (incorrect, should be "He is always extremely happy")
Practical uses:
- Adverbs modifying adjectives can be used to add emphasis or to convey tone in spoken and written language.
- Adverbs modifying adjectives can be used to add precision to instructions, reports or emails in business writing.
- Adverbs modifying adjectives can be used to add color and atmosphere to a scene in creative writing.
- Adverbs modifying adjectives can be used to add detail and description to sentences in academic writing.
Exercises:
- Complete the sentence with the correct adverb: "She is ___ happy." (Answer: "She is extremely happy.")
- Identify the adverb and state what it modifies: "He is quite tall." (Answer: "quite" modifies "tall")
- Write a sentence using an adverb to describe the degree of an adjective: "It's ___ cold today." (Answer: "It's quite cold today.")
- Write a sentence using an adverb to describe the manner in which an adjective is used: "She sings ___ well." (Answer: "She sings beautifully well.")
- Write a sentence using an adverb to describe the frequency of an adjective: "They ___ go to the beach." (Answer: "They occasionally go to the beach.")