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Verb A verb shows the happening or state of something. It is an action word. It can show: If somebody does something; like: This cat sleeps all day. If something has done onto someone; like: A stranger patted the stray cat. The state of someone or something; like: The cat is alive fortunately. Verb is the most important part of any sentence. A sentence does not make sense without a verb in it. There are some instants where a one-word answer can make up for a whole sentence; like, yes or indeed, etc, without the use of verb, but these responses are not used in formal writing. Verbs can also consist of more than one word, such as: The children were playing in the backyard. Types of Verbs These are the main kinds of verbs: Linking Verbs Transitive Verbs Intransitive Verbs Reflexive Verbs, Auxiliary Verbs Modal Verbs. 1.Linking Verb Linking verb is a verb that connects a sentence together. It does not mean anything on its own but makes sense when used in a sentence. Common Linking Verbs that are used are: Is, am, are, was, were Examples in sentences: The birds are flying high up in the sky. She is always looking fabulous. In the above examples, we can see that the linking verbs are connecting the subject with the rest of the sentence. Without Linking Verbs, the sentences do not have a complete structure. 2.Action Verbs Action verbs show action. They create an image of the happening in your head. There are two kinds of action verbs:
a) Transitive Verbs b) Intransitive Verbs (a) Transitive Verbs: The verb in a sentence that has a direct object is known as Transitive verb. The verb should have something on which it is performed. The sentences containing Transitive Verbs can also be converted from Active Voice to Passive Voice. Look at the examples below: The batsman hit the ball hard. She walked the streets alone. In the first example, we can see that the verb hit has a direct object ball. The sentence can also be converted into passive voice: The ball was hit hard by the batsman. The same case is with the second sentence. The verb walked has direct object streets and the sentence can be converted into passive voice: The streets were walked by her, alone. (b) Intransitive Verbs: The verb in a sentence that does not have a direct object is known as Intransitive verb. The sentences containing Intransitive Verbs cannot be converted from Active Voice to Passive Voice. Let us see the examples below: The lion cub sleeps. The house is flawed. In both of the above examples, there is no direct object. Both cannot be converted into passive voice too. So, the verbs; sleeps and flawed are intransitive. Most verbs can be used both transitively and intransitively. For example: The child rings the bell. Here the verb 'rings' has a direct object and is used transitively. The bell rings loudly. Here the verb 'rings' does not have a direct object and is used intransitively. More Examples: I stopped the car. (Transitively) The car stopped suddenly. (Intransitively) There are some verbs such as: go, sleep, die, fall, etc, which show an action that cannot be done to anything or anyone. Hence, these verbs can never be used transitively. 3.Reflexive Verbs Reflexive verbs are those who’s subject and direct object are the same. They refer back to the same thing or person. Let us see the examples below. She stays home herself. The cat cleans itself.
An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It provides us with further information about a verb, adjective or another adverb. It tells us in which manner, at what place or time, something happened, or is/was done. Look at the examples below. Ali walks swiftly. She took the grocery out of the shopping bags very carefully. That is a really sweet child. In the first example, the adverb swiftly is modifying the verb walks and is telling us the manner in which Ali walks. In the second example, the adverb very is modifying another adverb, carefully. In the third one, the adverb really is modifying the word sweet, which is an adjective. Kinds of Adverbs Adverbs are categorized into many kinds, such as: Adverbs of Time Adverbs of Place Adverbs of Frequency Adverbs of Degree Adverbs of Manner Adverbs of Reason Relative Adverbs Interrogative Adverbs Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation. 1.Adverbs of Time Adverbs of time tell us about which time an action was performed. These answer the question: When? Common words which come under the category of adverbs of time are: Ago, before, after, later, already, now, never, formerly, soon, since, etc Examples in sentences: I called my friend a few days ago. I formerly worked at the pizza shop. 2.Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of Place tell us about at what place an action took place. These answer the question: Where? Common words which come under the category of adverbs of place are: Here, there, up, out, in, within, away, etc Examples in sentences: Mr. Paul was visiting here an hour ago. I'm going out with my family. 3.Adverbs of Frequency Adverbs of frequency show us about how often or how many times a thing took place. These answer the question: How often? Common words used as adverbs of frequency are: Once, twice, again, often, seldom, rarely, always, frequently, etc Examples in sentences: I often go to visit my grandparents. It rarely rains around here. 3.Adverbs of Degree Adverbs of Degree inform us about to what degree or an extent something happens. These answer the question: How much? Adverbs of Degree are also known as Adverbs of Quantity. Common words used as Adverbs of Degree or Quantity are: Too, any, almost, so, pretty, rather, partly, altogether, enough, etc Examples in sentences: I was pretty busy yesterday. The sauce I bought today was good enough for making my pizza. In the above examples, we can see that the words pretty and enough both answer the question of how much. 4.Adverbs of Manner Adverbs of Manner give us information about how or in which manner some action is preceded. These answer the question: How? Adverbs of manner usually are derived from adjectives and mostly end in - ly. Following are some common words that come under the adverbs of manner category: Swiftly, clearly, foolishly, well, so, slowly, Examples in sentences: Hassan caught the loose snake bravely. Her hair is always well combed. She should do so. 5.Adverbs of Reason
Why, where, how, when Examples in sentences: When will you come to visit? How was the roast cooked? Degrees of Adverbs Like adjectives, adverbs also have Degrees of Comparison. But, only Adverbs of time, degree and manner admit to the comparison. Adverbs like now, then, there, once, etc cannot be compared because of their nature. Degrees of Comparison Adverbs of Manner, Degree and Time are changed in form very often to denote comparison. The degree to which these adverbs change, determines their degree. These degrees are called Degrees of Comparison. There are three degrees of comparison: Positive Degree Comparative Degree Superlative Degree. Positive Degree An adverb with a positive degree is an adverb in its simple and original form. There is no comparison going on with anything. It just lets it known that some quality exists in something or someone. Look at the examples below. She walked slowly. The car is parked at a near location. Comparative Degree The comparative degree of an adverb shows that the presence of a quality in one thing is more or higher than its presence in the Positive. This degree is used when the comparison of two things is happening. Look at the examples below to get a clearer idea. She walked more slowly than her friends. The car is park at a nearer location. Superlative Degree The Superlative Degree of Comparison is used when some quality in one thing or person is highest than anything or anyone else. Superlative degree is used when a thing or person is in comparison against more than one thing or person. Examples:
Of all the people, she walked the most slowly. The car is parked at the next location. In the above examples, we have compared the thing we were talking about with all the other things of the like. This is the highest form of comparison and hence is the Superlative Degree. Activity 01 Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate adverb from the options given.
- She finished her homework ___. (quickly, slowly)
- The cat jumped ___. (gracefully, heavily)
- They ___ visit their grandparents during the summer. (often, never)
- He spoke to the audience ___ to make sure everyone understood. (clearly, vaguely)
- I have ___ seen such a beautiful sunset. (never, always) Activity 02 Read the following paragraph and identify the adverbs. Classify each as an adverb of time, manner, place, degree, or frequency. 1/ Yesterday, Tom eagerly waited for his friend at the park. He often comes here to relax and enjoy the fresh air. When his friend finally arrived, they excitedly planned their trip for next weekend. They talked for hours before Tom reluctantly said goodbye. Adverbs to Identify: o Yesterday (Time) o Eagerly (Manner) o Often (Frequency) o Here (Place) o Finally (Time) o Excitedly (Manner) o Reluctantly (Manner) 2/ Early in the morning, Sarah hurriedly packed her bags for the trip. She usually travels light, but this time, she decided to bring more clothes. Carefully, she placed each item into her suitcase. Before leaving, she quickly checked all the rooms to make sure she didn’t forget anything. Adverbs to Identify: o Early (Time)
