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English · Grammar basics

Adjectives & adverbs

Words that describe nouns and verbs.

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What are adjectives?

Adjectives are describing words. They tell us more about nouns (people, places or things). For example: the fluffy cat, a loud noise, three apples. Adjectives can describe size, colour, shape, number or feeling. They help us paint a clearer picture with our words.

What are adverbs?

Adverbs are describing words too. They tell us more about verbs (action words). For example: she ran quickly, he whispered softly, they arrived early. Many adverbs end in -ly. Adverbs can describe how, when or where something happens.

Spotting the difference

Adjectives describe nouns. Adverbs describe verbs. Look at: The happy dog barked loudly. Happy is an adjective describing dog (a noun). Loudly is an adverb describing barked (a verb). Ask yourself: does it describe a thing or an action?

Why do we use them?

Adjectives and adverbs make our writing more interesting. Compare these: The cat sat. The tiny, striped cat sat quietly. The second sentence is much more vivid! Good writers choose strong describing words to help readers imagine the scene clearly.

Worked examples

  1. 1. Find the adjective in this sentence: The brave knight fought the dragon.

    1. First, find the nouns (people, places or things). Knight and dragon are nouns.
    2. Next, look for words that describe those nouns. Brave describes knight.
    3. The adjective is brave because it tells us what kind of knight.

  2. 2. Find the adverb in this sentence: The children played happily outside.

    1. First, find the verb (action word). Played is the verb.
    2. Next, look for words that describe how they played. Happily describes played.
    3. The adverb is happily because it tells us how the children played.

  3. 3. Is the word beautiful an adjective or adverb? The beautiful flowers grew quickly.

    1. Look at what beautiful describes. It describes flowers (a noun).
    2. Words that describe nouns are adjectives.
    3. Beautiful is an adjective. Note: quickly describes grew (verb) so it is an adverb.

Try it yourself

Choose the adjective in this sentence: The old house stood on the dark hill.

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