What is an Adverb? Part 2
ADVERBS – PART TWO
Some words can serve as both adjectives AND adverbs.
1) He swung hard with a right hook. Here, “hard” serves as an adverb which modifies the verb “swung”.
2) When he fell, his head hit the hard concrete. Here, “hard” is an adjective modifying the noun “concrete”.
Occasionally, some adverb-adjective pairs create problems for writers.
Good – Well.
“Good” is an adjective, while “well” is an adverb.
The adjective “good” can modify only NOUNS AND PRONOUNS
While the adverb “well” can modify only ADJECTIVES AND VERBS
Samantha always cooks good omelets. The adjective “good” modifies the “noun” omelets.
Samantha always prepares omelets well. Here, the adverb “well” modifies the verb “prepare”.
Exception ALERT!!! “Well” can also be an adjective, but only in regards to a person’s health.
Eamon didn’t feel well after gorging on bacon lobster. Here, “well” is an adjective referring to the noun (Eamon’s) health.
Bad – Badly
Remember, adverbs MUST follow or modify action verbs, while adjectives must follow NON-ACTION or LINKING verbs
All the “be” verbs are linking or non-action verbs – be, been, being, am, is, was, are, were, – and as such, should be followed by an adjective
Liora tested (bad? badly?) on her calculus exam.
Badly, since it follows the action verb “tested”.
Liora felt (bad? badly?) when she saw the starving kitten outside in the rain.
Here, “felt” is a linking verb, linking the noun, Liora, with what? Remember, since an adverb cannot modify a noun, we need an adjective. Liora felt bad when she….
