Words are an important part of the language we use every day. When we are talking and writing English, we use different words. Two of the main parts of spoken English and written English are adjectives and adverbs. These words have an important role in the world of English grammar. However, many find it difficult to differentiate between adjectives and adverbs.
In this blog, we will give you a complete guide on how to tell the difference between adjectives and adverbs. We will define adjectives and adverbs, tell you the main differences between them, and provide ways to find them in sentences. Finally, we will quiz you on what you have learned. Are you ready?
What are Adjectives and Adverbs?
Adjectives and adverbs are words that describe or explain other words in a sentence. Adjectives explain nouns and pronouns, like Taj Mahal, flowers, smartphone, YouTube, etc, while adverbs explain verbs like running, sleeping, talking, breathing, etc.
Definition and Examples of Adjectives
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun. It gives more information about the noun or pronoun and helps to find out what it is like, how much of it is there, and how good or, bad it is. Words like beautiful, intelligent, delicious, cozy, and big are all adjectives.
For example, “this shirt is colourful, large, and expensive.”
Here, shirt is a noun, while colourful, large, and expensive are all adjectives as they tell us more about the shirt.
Definition and Examples of Adverbs
An adverb is a word that explains a verb, or another adverb. It helps to describe the manner, time, place, quantity, and reason for the action in the sentence.
For example, “He ran quickly, yet carefully towards the finish line.”
Here, the word ran is a verb, while the words quickly and carefully are adverbs as they explain how the person ran. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the second adverb carefully explains the first adverb quickly.
Other examples of adverbs include quietly, slowly, often, badly, and carefully.
Differences Between Adjectives and Adverbs
Many people confuse adjectives and adverbs. Therefore, understanding the differences between these two parts of speech is crucial. There are two main differences between adjectives and adverbs: the way they are put in sentences and their uses.
Placement of Adjectives and Adverbs.
One of the differences between adjectives and adverbs is their position in a sentence.
Adjectives come before the noun they describe, while adverbs usually come after the verb they modify.
For example, in the sentence: “The red (adjective) flower (noun) smells (verb) sweetly (adverb),” the adjective comes before the noun, while the adverb comes after the verb.
How to Find Adjectives
To find adjectives in a sentence, ask yourself which words are describing the noun or pronoun. Adjectives usually come immediately before the noun or pronoun they describe. For example, in the sentence “She has a blue car,” the word blue is describing the noun car.
How to Find Adverbs
To find verbs in a sentence, ask yourself which word is explaining the verb, or adverb. For example, in the sentence “She speaks English well,” the word well is explaining the verb speaks.
Quiz Time!
Grab a sheet of paper and a pencil, and write down your answers.
- “Her cat runs very fast.” – Does this sentence have an adjective?
- a) yes b) no
- “This is a great song for young children.” – Find the adjective.
- a) great b) young c) neither d) both
- “Slow and steady wins the race.” – Find the verb.
- a) slow b) race c) wins d) steady
- “I think he writes _________.” – Fill the blank with an adverb.
- a) spoilt b) books c) poems d) beautifully
- “Who here wants to challenge the mighty King?” – Find the adverb or adjective.
- a) challenge b) mighty c) King d) here
- “Every good student studies hard.” – Find the adjective and adverb.
- a) good-hard b) student-hard c) good-studies d) student-studies
- “The magical _______ flies _________.” – Fill in an adjective and adverb.
The magical ……. a) unicorn b) kick
flies …….. a) footballs b) high
Answer key
Take a look at the answers below and check how many you got correct.
- b) no
- d) both
- c) wins
- d) beautifully
- b) mighty
- a) good-hard
- a) unicorn and b) high
So, how many did you get correct? If you got them all right, Congratulations! You are a master at telling the difference between adjectives and adverbs. If you didn’t get them all correct, no worries, read this blog once more, and you will surely get them all right next time!
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