Adverbs / Adjectives / Linking Verbs

Adverbs

FORM

ADJECTIVE + ly

(There are also irregular adverbs such as “well”)

USE 1

Adverbs can be used to modify verbs.

EXAMPLES:

John walked quickly towards the door.

Sally sat silently waiting for somebody else to speak first.

USE 2

Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives.

EXAMPLES:

The redwood tree was impressively tall.

The blouse was outrageously expensive.

USE 3

Adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs.

EXAMPLES:

She spoke extremely confidently.

The cheetah ran incredibly quickly.

Adjectives

FORM

There are many different adjective endings including “-ive,” “-ous,” “-y,” “-ful,” “-ent” and many others. “Attractive,” “envious,” “lazy,” “beautiful,” and “intelligent” are all adjectives.

USE 1

Adjectives can be used to modify nouns.

EXAMPLES:

Jack drives a big car.

Sally writes beautiful poems.

USE 2

Adjectives often follow Linking Verbs. (See Linking Verbs description below.)

EXAMPLES:

Max is tall.

Sandra seems mad.

Linking Verbs

LIST

to appear

to be

to become

to feel

to get

to go

to grow

to look

to prove

to remain

to seem

to smell

to sound

to stay

to taste

to turn

USE

The Linking Verbs above are often followed by adjectives instead of adverbs. In such situations, the adjective describes the subject of the sentence rather than the verb.

EXAMPLES:

Mary seemed sad. CORRECT

Mary seemed sadly. NOT CORRECT

The cake tastes good. CORRECT

The cake tastes well. NOT CORRECT

The train is slow.

James grew tired.

Sarah remained calm.

The milk went bad.

The seas turned rough.

The negotiations proved pointless.

IMPORTANT

The verbs in the list above are not always used as Linking Verbs. Compare the examples below.

EXAMPLES:

Sally grew angry.

(“Angry” describes Sally. In this sentence, “to grow” is being used as a Linking Verb.)

The plant grew quickly.

(“Quickly” does not describe the plant, it describes the manner in which it grows. In this sentence, “to grow” is not being used as a Linking Verb.)

Adverbs

FORM

ADJECTIVE + ly

(There are also irregular adverbs such as “well”)

USE 1

Adverbs can be used to modify verbs.

EXAMPLES:

John walked quickly towards the door.

Sally sat silently waiting for somebody else to speak first.

USE 2

Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives.

EXAMPLES:

The redwood tree was impressively tall.

The blouse was outrageously expensive.

USE 3

Adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs.

EXAMPLES:

She spoke extremely confidently.

The cheetah ran incredibly quickly.

Adjectives

FORM

There are many different adjective endings including “-ive,” “-ous,” “-y,” “-ful,” “-ent” and many others. “Attractive,” “envious,” “lazy,” “beautiful,” and “intelligent” are all adjectives.

USE 1

Adjectives can be used to modify nouns.

EXAMPLES:

Jack drives a big car.

Sally writes beautiful poems.

USE 2

Adjectives often follow Linking Verbs. (See Linking Verbs description below.)

EXAMPLES:

Max is tall.

Sandra seems mad.

Linking Verbs

LIST

to appear

to be

to become

to feel

to get

to go

to grow

to look

to prove

to remain

to seem

to smell

to sound

to stay

to taste

to turn

USE

The Linking Verbs above are often followed by adjectives instead of adverbs. In such situations, the adjective describes the subject of the sentence rather than the verb.

EXAMPLES:

Mary seemed sad. CORRECT

Mary seemed sadly. NOT CORRECT

The cake tastes good. CORRECT

The cake tastes well. NOT CORRECT

The train is slow.

James grew tired.

Sarah remained calm.

The milk went bad.

The seas turned rough.

The negotiations proved pointless.

IMPORTANT

The verbs in the list above are not always used as Linking Verbs. Compare the examples below.

EXAMPLES:

Sally grew angry.

(“Angry” describes Sally. In this sentence, “to grow” is being used as a Linking Verb.)

The plant grew quickly.

(“Quickly” does not describe the plant, it describes the manner in which it grows. In this sentence, “to grow” is not being used as a Linking Verb.)