Adverbs are used to modify verbs.

They tell us when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is
performed. Some examples:

When: He ran yesterday.

Where: He ran here.

How: He ran quickly.

In what manner: He ran barefoot.

To what extent: He ran fastest.

(Note: In these examples, the adverbs are all just one word, but they can be made up of more than one word. (See:
adverbial phrases and clauses.)
Adverbs
An adverb can be added to a verb to modify its meaning. Usually, an adverb tells you when, where, how, in what
manner or to what extent an action is performed.
Many adverbs end in ...ly particularly those that are used to express how an action is performed. Although many
adverbs end ly, lots do not, e.g., fast, never, well, very, most, least, more, less, now, far, and there.
Examples:

Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf.

(The word carefully is an adverb. It shows how the vase was placed.)

Tara walks gracefully.

(The word gracefully is an adverb. It modifies the verb to walk.)

He runs fast.
(The word fast is an adverb. It modifies the verb to run.)

You can set your watch by him. He always leaves at 5 o'clock.

(The word always is an adverb. It modifies the verb to leave.)

The dinner guests arrived early.

(early - adverb; modifies to arrive)

She sometimes helps us.

(sometimes - adverb; modifies to help)

I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly. (Oscar Wilde)
(thoroughly - adverb; modifies to know)
Types of Adverbs
Although there are thousands of adverbs, each adverb can usually be categorised in one of the following groupings:
Adverbs of Time

Press the button now.

(now - adverb of time)

I have never been.

(never - adverb of time)

I tell him daily.

(daily - adverb of time)
Adverbs of Place

Daisies grow everywhere.

(everywhere - adverb of place)

I did not put it there.

(there - adverb of place)
Adverbs of Manner

He passed the re-sit easily.

(easily - adverb of manner)

The lion crawled stealthily.

(stealthily - adverb of manner)
Adverbs of Degree

That is the farthest I have ever jumped.

(farthest - adverb of degree)

He boxed more cleverly.

(more cleverly - adverb of degree and manner.)
(This is covered more in the lesson Comparatives.)
Adverbs Can Modify Adjectives and Other Adverbs
Although the term adverb implies that they are only used with verbs, adverbs can also modify adjectives and other
adverbs:

Examples:

The horridly grotesque gargoyle was undamaged by the debris.

(The adverb horridly modifies the adjective grotesque .)

Peter had an extremely ashen face.

(The adverb extremely modifies the adjective ashen.)

Badly trained dogs that fail the test will become pets.
(The adverb badly modifies the adjective trained.)
(Trained is an adjective formed from the verb to train - see Participles.)

She wore a beautifully designed dress.

(The adverb beautifully modifies the adjective designed.)

Peter Jackson finished his assignment remarkably quickly.

(The adverb quickly modifies the verb to finish. The adverb remarkably
modifies the adverb quickly.)
The rules for forming comparatives (e.g., better, more quickly, less efficiently) and superlatives (e.g., best, most
quickly, least efficiently) from adverbs are explained below. As they are quite complicated, some people form double
comparatives (e.g., more better, more quicklier) or double superlatives (e.g., bestest, most quickliest). These double
forms are serious grammar errors.
The rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs are varied.
Comparatives of Adverbs
Examples:
The goat can see better than you think.
(better: comparative of well)
Try to paint the edges more carefully; it will save time later.
(more carefully: comparative of carefully)
He tries harder than most, but he has no aptitude for languages.
(harder: comparative of hard)
The engine operates less efficiently with alcohol.
(less efficiently: comparative of efficiently)
Superlatives of Adverbs
I have found that the office runs best with the radio on and the heating down.
(best: superlative of well)
The gift is most gratefully received.
(most gratefully: superlative of gratefully)
It was obvious that they were not used to high heels, but Karen moved least gracefully of all.
(least gracefully: superlative of gracefully)
She answered most abruptly.
(most abruptly: superlative of abruptly)
In general, comparatives and superlatives of adverbs do not cause difficulties for native English speakers. However,
the mistake of using a double comparative or a double superlative is fairly common in speech. This error is more
common with the comparatives and superlatives of adjectives, but is occasionally seen with adverbs too.
Forming Comparatives and Superlatives from Adverbs
The table below shows the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives from adverbs:
Type of Adverb
Example of Type of Adverb How to Form the Comparative How to Form the Superlative
add er
add est
One Syllable
fast
faster
fastest
hard
harder
hardest
add less or more
add most or least
More Than One Syllable carefully
more carefully
most carefully
no rules
no rules
Irregular
badly
worse
worst
well
better
best
What Are Participles?
A participle is a word formed from a verb which can be used as an adjective.
The two types of participles are the present participle (ending ing) and the past participle (usually ending -ed, -d, -t,
-en, or -n).
Here are some participles being used as adjectives:
The Verb
The Past Participle
To rise
the risen sun

The Present Participle

the rising sun

To boil
To break
To cook

the boiled water

the broken news
the cooked ham

the boiling water

the breaking news
the cooking ham

Participle Phrases
It is really common to see participles in participle phrases. A participle phrase also acts like an adjective. In the
examples below, the participle phrases are shaded and the participles are in bold:

The man carrying the bricks is my father.

(The participle phrase carrying the bricks describes the the man.)

She showed us a plate of scones crammed with cream.

(The participle phrase crammed with cream describes the scones.)

Whistling the same tune as always, Ted touched the front of his cap with his forefinger as she dismounted.
(The participle phrase Whistling the same tune as always describes Ted.)

Stunned by the blow, Mike quickly gathered his senses and searched frantically for the pepper spray.
(The participle phrase Stunned by the blow describes Mike.)
Present Participles
Present participles end in -ing. Examples:

boiling water

caring nature

deserving recipient
Some more examples of present participles (shaded):

A laughing man is stronger than a suffering man. (Gustave Flaubert, 1821-1880)

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference
between a dog and a man. (Mark Twain, 1835-1910)

The only thing that comes to a sleeping man is dreams. (Tupac Shakur)
Present participles are not just used as adjectives. They are also used to form verb tenses. Here are the verb tenses
(present participles shaded):
The 4 Past Tenses
Example
simple past tense
I went
past progressive tense
I was going
past perfect tense
I had gone
past perfect progressive tense
I had been going
The 4 Present Tenses
Example
simple present tense
I go
present progressive tense
I am going
present perfect tense
I have gone
present perfect progressive tense
I have been going
The 4 Future Tenses
Example
simple future tense
I will go
future progressive tense
I will be going
future perfect tense
I will have gone
future perfect progressive tense
I will have been going
Past Participles
Past participles have various endings, usually -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n. Examples:

broken window

painted frame

destroyed bridge
Some more examples of past participles (shaded):

A swollen eye is God's way of telling you to improve your interpersonal skills.

Do not waste time staring at a closed door.

I like children...if they're properly cooked. (W.C. Fields)

(Remember, an adjective can also appear after the noun it is modifying. See predicate adjectives.)

Past participles are also used to form verb tenses. Look at these verb tenses (past participles shaded):
The 4 Past Tenses
Example
simple past tense
I went
past progressive tense
I was going
past perfect tense
I had gone
past perfect progressive tense
I had been going
The 4 Present Tenses
Example
simple present tense
I go
present progressive tense
I am going
present perfect tense
I have gone
present perfect progressive tense
I have been going
The 4 Future Tenses
Example
simple future tense
I will go
future progressive tense
I will be going
future perfect tense
I will have gone
future perfect progressive tense
I will have been going
Read more about past participles.
Perfect Participles
Perfect participles are formed like this:
"Having" + [past participle]
Examples:

Having taken

Having eaten

Having played
Some more examples of present participles (shaded):

Having heard the news, he quickly sold his brother's record collection.

Having been promised a steak dinner, she looked less than impressed with her Happy Meal.

We know that adverbs modify verbs, e.g., He ran quickly. (Quickly is the adverb.) When an adverb consists of
more than one word, it is known as an adverbial phrase, e.g., He ran like the wind. If this phrase contains its
own verb, it's called an adverbial clause, e.g., He ran like his life depended on it.

Adverbial Clauses and Phrases

Quite often, an adverb in a sentence comprises several words. These types of adverbs are called adverbial phrases or
adverbial clauses. Adverbial phrases and clauses (shaded below) can usually be categorised as one of the following:
Adverbs of Time

A crow attacked your cat while I was waiting for the bus.

Every time he cracked a joke, the punters roared with laughter.

(Note the comma. This is explained in the hot tip to the right.)
Adverbs of Place

It is colder and wetter in the north of Germany.

Put the sign where the students can read it.

Adverbs of Manner

That dog is walking around like he owns the place.

She is acting as if she has stolen something.

Adverbs of Degree

You are not as clever as you think you are.

He is as modest as he is brilliant.
Adverbs of Condition

If I have the time, I will show you the cellar after the shift.

I will come with you provided my suit is back from the dry cleaners.

Adverbs of Concession

Although only four years old, Oliver can do long multiplication.

I will cover for you although I may lose my job.

Adverbs of Reason

We were forced to abandon the match because the skies opened up.

Since it is your birthday, you can sit in the front.