Primary School English Quiz - Adverbs 3 - Adverbs that Modify Adjectives (Questions)

In the previous two quizzes we looked at adverbs that modify verbs. We were exposed to various types of adverbs that lend additional meaning to verbs. Adverbs primarily modify verbs. But adverbs are also used to modify adjectives and other adverbs. What is the role of such adverbs? It is to add more meaning to the adjective or the adverb. Let us look at some examples:

In the sentence 'My sister wore an EXQUISITELY MADE dress' the adverb EXQUISITELY modifies the adjective MADE. Here the question ‘how the dress was made’ is answered by the adverb EXQUISITELY which qualifies the adjective MADE. If the sentence were to read:

‘My sister wore a POORLY MADE dress’ then the adverb POORLY indicates how the dress was made.

From these examples you can see how adverbs which modify adjectives are useful. Now, let us look at three more sentences:

‘Our team won MOST OFTEN.'
‘The children awoke UNUSUALLY EARLY.’
‘I will PROBABLY NEVER forget you.’

In each of these sentences both the words in capitals are adverbs. The first word is an adverb that modifies the second word which is also an adverb. The use of the adverb to modify another adverb adds some more meaning to the sentence. In the second example the sentence tells us that the children do not usually awake early and this time was an exception. The use of UNUSUALLY gives us a hint as to the waking habits of children!

In the third sentence the use of the adverb PROBABLY to qualify the adverb NEVER indicates that there is a chance that I may forget you but more chances that I will not forget you.

Adverbs that modify adjectives and adverbs are a must in a person’s vocabulary to ensure communication is rendered more meaningful. In the quiz that follows, you will learn about adverbs that modify adjectives.