Adverbs
Brijbox English · Learn the idea
In this lesson, adverbs tell us more about a verb: how, when or where something happens.
Many adverbs end in -ly, such as slowly. Others do not: fast, soon, outside.
Check what the word tells you about. An ending alone is not enough.
Look at these examples
The snail moved slowly.
Slowly tells us how the snail moved.
We will leave soon.
Soon tells us when we will leave.
The children played outside.
Outside tells us where they played.
Remember
Find the verb, then ask: how, when or where?
Your turn
Say or write your answers. An adult can read the questions aloud.
1. The owl flew silently.
Which word tells us how the owl flew? silently / owl / flew
2. We will eat soon.
What does soon tell us? How we will eat. / When we will eat. / Where we will eat.
3. The horse ran fast.
Which word tells us how the horse ran? horse / ran / fast
4. The friendly dog waited patiently.
Which word tells us how the dog waited? friendly / patiently / dog
Make your own sentences
Write about an animal moving. Write a sentence that tells how it moves. Write a second sentence that tells when or where it moves. Circle your adverbs.
Grown-up guide
This first lesson focuses on adverbs modifying verbs. Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs; that is later work. Do not use -ly as a classification test.
Practice answers
1. silently. Silently is an adverb. It gives more information about flew.
2. When we will eat. Soon tells us when we will eat. It is an adverb of time.
3. fast. Fast tells us how the horse ran. It is an adverb here, although it does not end in -ly.
4. patiently. Patiently tells us about the verb waited. Friendly describes the noun dog, so it is an adjective.
Check the child’s own writing
- Which verb does each adverb tell me more about?
- Does it answer how, when or where?
One possible example: The fox stepped quietly. It waited outside.
Try another day
Find an adverb that does not end in -ly. Explain its job in the sentence.
These are starter lessons. Use the child’s explanation and independent sentences to choose what to revisit. Finishing a page is not a mastery result.