Lesson 48
Parts of Speech - Adverbs
Not and its contraction n't are adverbs. They really modify the entire sentence, but we will have them modify the verb as it is the most important word in the sentence. This is a common practice in grammar books. Remember that adverbs tell us how, when, where, why, and how much and modify verbsVerbs show action or state of being. Most verbs are action words, but a few verbs indicate state of being or existence.
Source: Lesson 1,
adjectivesAdjectives modify or affect the meaning of nouns and pronouns and tell us which, whose, what kind, and how many about the nouns or pronouns they modify.
Source: Lesson 31, and other adverbs.
Instructions: Find the adverbs in these sentences and tell which word they modify.
1. Terri did not do the work correctly.
- not and correctly modify did do
2. Mom was never so deeply pleased with the kids.
- never and deeply modify was pleased
- so modifies deeply (telling how much)
3. Badger actually likes almost every cat he sees.
- actually modifies likes
- almost modifies every (telling how much)
4. I recently found that you wouldn't help.
- recently modifies found
- n't modifies would help
5. You will not go tomorrow to that very scary movie.
- not and tomorrow modify will go
- very modifies scary (telling how much)
Note: Adverbs that modify verbs always modify the whole verb phraseWhen a verb is more than one word, it is called a verb phrase. Verb phrases can be two, three, or four words. Verb phrases are made by using auxiliary or helping verbs.
Source: Lesson 4 when it is made up of more than one word.