A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a whole clause — often saying how, when, where or to what degree.
In precise terms
A heterogeneous class of modifiers that do not modify nouns. Because the class is defined largely by exclusion, it is the least coherent of the traditional word classes and many grammars subdivide it.
An example
Sie spricht sehr schnell.
She speaks very quickly.
What is going on here
'Schnell' modifies the verb 'spricht'; 'sehr' modifies 'schnell'. German uses the same form for the adjective and the manner adverb — there is no '-ly' equivalent — which is a common source of over-correction by English speakers.
Why this matters when you are learning a language
Adverbs are where languages hide their word-order rules. Many languages place adverbs in positions English does not allow, and getting them wrong produces sentences that are understandable but audibly non-native.
Across languages
English derives many adverbs with '-ly'; German and Dutch reuse the bare adjective; Japanese uses distinct adverbial forms of adjectives. Some languages express manner with a verb in a series rather than with an adverb at all.
Related terms
- AdjectiveBeginner — A word that describes a noun — its size, colour, quality or state.
- Modifier and complementIntermediate — A modifier adds optional information; a complement is required to complete the meaning.
- Word orderIntermediate — The order in which subject, verb and object normally appear.
Where to go next
- Language guides — See grammatical and lexical categories used in context.
- Terminology quiz — Test the terms on this page.