Main Difference – Adverb vs Adjective
Adverbs and Adjectives are both used to modify different words in a sentence. The main difference between adverb and adjective is that adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs whereas adjectives modify nouns.
What is an Adverb
Adverbs are words that express manner, time, place, frequency, degree, etc. They can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adjectives. An adverb tells us when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent an action is performed. Adverbs can be categorized into different groups based on their functions. Some common groups include
Adverbs of time:
Adverbs of time express when an action occurs,
He’ll return soon.
He travels there daily.
She is always smiling.
Adverbs of place:
Adverbs of place tell us where an action takes place.
They stopped here to rest.
Roses are everywhere.
Adverbs of manner:
Adverbs of manner tell us how an action occurs.
He ran fast.
They crawled stealthily.
The horses are running fast.
What is an Adjective
An adjective is a word that modifies a noun; it can simply be termed as a describing word. Adjectives are used with nouns to describe qualities such as, color, size, number and type. For example, red, old and large are all adjectives. In the following instances, they are used to modify the noun house.
He lives in that red house by the river.
He lives in an old house.
He bought a large house.
As seen from these examples, adjectives make the meaning of a sentence more clear or exact. A noun can be modified by using more than one adjective. Using more than one adjective is known as the enumeration of adjectives.
She is a pretty little girl.
He saw a large black cat on his bed.
An adjective can be used before or after a noun. An adjective that is found immediately before a noun is known as an attributive adjective.
He bought new clothes.
The small girl has long hair.
In contrast, adjectives that are used after a noun are known as predicate adjectives. Predicate adjectives always follow a linking verb and modify the subject of that linking verb.
The sea is blue.
She is happy.
Adjectives can be categorized into different groups based on their function. Given below are some of these types of adjectives.
Possessive adjectives: Adjectives that are used to indicate possession. Possessive adjectives include my, your, his, her, its, our and their.
Demonstrative adjectives: Adjectives that are used to indicate specific things. This, These, Those, and That fall into this category.
Indefinite adjectives: Adjectives that do not indicate specific things. They are formed from indefinite pronouns. Some common indefinite adjectives include some, many, none, few and several.
She lives in that green house.
Difference Between Adverb and Adjective
Modification
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.
Order
Adverbs come after the nouns.
Adjectives come before nouns.
Function
Adverbs answer the question how, when, where, what, and why.
Adjectives answer questions like which, what kind of and how many.
