Adjectives vs. Adverbs: The Basics

Adjectives vs. Adverbs



"Adverbs can lead to lazy writing."

"Adjectives help with description."

As writers, we've all heard these common phrases before, but how far does your knowledge of adjectives and adverbs really go? How do you utilize them to enhance your writing, not hinder it? Here, we will see what adjectives and adverbs are, how to distinguish them in a sentence, and how to use them properly.



Let’s start at the beginning…



Adjectives- modifies a noun or pronoun

They answer one of the three questions

         Which one?

         I like his car.

         How many?

         I want no excuses.

         What kind?

         They chose a red carpet for the old house.



Adverbs- modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb

         Verb

         She smiled discreetly.

         Adjective

         She is quite discreet.

         Adverb

         She smiled very discreetly.

         

         Answers the questions

         How?

         She walked quickly.

         When?

         She walked yesterday.

         Where?

         She walked here.



Examples of adjectives and adverbs

Adjectives:

Good

Bad

Real

Sure



Adverbs:

Well (used for both)

Badly

Really

Surely



But how do we know which one to use and when?

Good vs. Well

Adj: She is a good student.

Adj: She feels good today. (She is good overall)

Adv: She feels well today. (This means she was sick yesterday)



Bad vs. Badly

Adj: I feel bad about saying that to him. (Is speaking about a state of mind)

Adv: I feel badly ever since I burned myself last summer. (Is speaking about the physical)



Real vs. Really

Adj: He ate at a restaurant with real class. (Means actually or true)

Adv: He ate at a really classy restaurant. (Means truly or very)



Sure vs. Surely

Adj: Tomorrow is a sure thing. (Means certain)

Adv: It is surely hot outside today. (Means certainly)





~H.A.B.