Verbs and Adverbs

Hi! Let’s learn two small but important words in English:

Verb — a verb is an action word. It tells what someone or something is doing. Examples: run, jump, eat, sleep.

Adverb — an adverb gives more information about the verb. It answers questions like: How? When? Where? How often?

Easy steps to find them

1. Find the action word (verb). Ask: 'What is happening?'
2. Ask about that action: 'How?', 'When?', 'Where?', or 'How often?'
3. The word that answers is the adverb. It tells more about the verb.

Examples

• She runs quickly. (verb: runs; adverb: quickly — how?)
• The dog barked loudly. (verb: barked; adverb: loudly — how?)
• We will go tomorrow. (verb: go; adverb: tomorrow — when?)
• He plays outside. (verb: plays; adverb: outside — where?)
• They always smile. (verb: smile; adverb: always — how often?)

Fun practice — fill in the blank

Use one word from this list: quickly, loudly, tomorrow, outside, always

1. Mom cooks ___ (how?)
2. The cat sleeps ___ (where?)
3. We will visit Grandma ___ (when?)
4. Birds sing ___ (how?)
5. She brushes her teeth ___ (how often?)

Try to answer before you peek! The answer key is below.

Answer key

• 1: Mom cooks quickly.
• 2: The cat sleeps outside.
• 3: We will visit Grandma tomorrow.
• 4: Birds sing loudly.
• 5: She brushes her teeth always.

Make your own sentences

Now you try! Make 3 short sentences. Use one verb and one adverb in each.

Example: I jump high. (circle the verb and underline the adverb)

Have fun and ask me to check your sentences — I can help!