What Is an Adverb?
Adverbs are useful in sentences because they help to modify the meanings of other words in a way that makes their meaning clearer. They can help to clarify how something was done, where it was done, when it was done, and also the extent of the event.
They can also be used as intensifiers that help to express intensity in a sentence. Adverbs can even be used in conjunction with other adverbs to help give more clarity to sentences. Here are a few examples of commonly used adverbs and how they are likely to be used in day-to-day speech.
1. Abruptly
“The singing stopped abruptly.” In this example, the adverb in use is the word “abruptly.” The word abruptly means for something to stop suddenly. The word is also used to describe somebody that is speaking or acting in a curt manner. In the sentence above, it highlights that the singing has stopped more quickly than it usually might. It might be used in instances where performers have been distracted by a commotion in the audience. You can even get images of singers stopping abruptly when an unwelcome character walks into a Wild West saloon. There are numerous other examples of this particular adverb, and most will give a similar context.
2. Quickly
The word “quickly” is perhaps one of the most common used adverbs of all. One example of its usage is “he quickly finished his dinner,” clearly describing how the person finished eating faster than they otherwise would. It helps to portray how somebody is in a rush, perhaps because they need to be somewhere else or they are avoiding another person.
The word can also be used as a command. In telling people to “do it quickly,” you are giving a clear order that they should do it in the least amount of time as possible. Some people might find it rude to be told to be quick, but it may sometimes be necessary.
3. Willfully
“He willfully disobeyed what he was asked to do.” To do something willfully means to do it knowingly and deliberately. In the example given, it paints a scenario where a person is deliberately disobeying a request, as opposed to doing so out of absent-mindedness or other reasons.
Another good example is to say that somebody is willfully ignorant. This means that the person is choosing to remain ignorant, perhaps by refusing to listen or to read books on a particular subject. This is opposed to people that are ignorant through lacking in learning opportunities or an inability to learn and/or understand new things.
4. Firmly
The word “firm2 means something that is not soft; not unwavering. “Firmly” is also often used as an adverb to describe an action that is being performed in an authoritative manner. One example of the word in a sentence is “The mother firmly told the children not to play with matches again.” In this sentence, the word firmly is used to clarify that the mother was quite stern in chastising her children, as opposed to doing so in a casual manner.
It can also be used to express that something has been placed securely. For example: The helmet was strapped firmly onto his head.
5. Beautifully
This is another adverb that is quite often used in the English language. It is often used to explain how something is very attractive, such as in a person being beautifully dressed or a painting being painted beautifully. One example in a sentence is “The beautifully dressed woman turned heads as she walked by.”
It can also be used to describe something that has been done in an impressive manner. For example: “and the player bought the ball down beautifully there.” While the action may have been aesthetically pleasing, the sentence will likely be leaning more toward highlighting the player’s impressive skill.
6. Truthfully
“The witness truthfully answered the questions that were being asked by the defense.” The word “truthfully” is the adverb in this sentence. It is used to describe how the witness is being honest and answering questions to the best of their ability, as opposed to being dishonest or misleading in their replies.
It should be noted that this does not necessarily mean that the answers were “correct.” If somebody is being truthful, it simply means that they are genuinely saying what they think is true, regardless of what the truth really is. They are still being truthful even if the answers are incorrect.
7. Quite
“They did quite a good job of cleaning up the house.” In this example, the adverb being used is “quite,” and in American English, the word can easily be replaced with “very” and the sentence would still mean exactly the same thing. Another example of this adverb in a sentence is “The new teacher has had quite an impact on the kid’s grades.”
As with a lot of other words, however, it can take on different meanings according to where you are. If you are using British English, for example, it would be more accurate to change “very” with the word “reasonably.” As in “OK,” but not great.
8. Seriously
“We seriously need to consider moving to a new home.” In this sentence, it is the word “seriously” that is an adverb. The context of the word here is to highlight how moving to a new home is something that is a matter that needs to be addressed. It suggests that the conversation and perhaps even house-hunting should begin without hesitation.
Another example of a sentence with seriously as a verb would be “my foot is seriously painful since the operation.” In this instance, the word is being used to mean “very.” The word seriously is common in everyday speech, often used on its own to question the validity of something, or as a protestation.
9. Impatiently
“He impatiently asked her to go faster otherwise they would be late for the dinner party.” The word “impatiently” is the adverb in this sentence. It clearly indicates that the guy is not comfortable with the time being taken and that he is eager for the lady to hurry up.
The very word “impatient” suggests that the person in question is intolerant and/or not willing to be flexible, but that is not always the case. In cases when there is a real emergency, and it is necessary to act quickly, it will likely be quite reasonable for somebody to be impatient.
10. Almost Always
“The defender will almost always win the ball from the opposition strikers.” In this instance, there are two adverbs: “almost” and “always.” The sentence is used to explain that the defender doesn’t always win the ball from his opponents, but is close to doing so.
What is most notable about this particular sentence is that one adverb is modifying another. Firstly, the adverb “always” is modifying the word “win.” In addition, the word “almost” is modifying the word “always.” There are many instances of an adverb modifying another adverb, and you will probably have used some without even knowing it.
