Grade 6 Primary English Adverbs – Classes Of Adverbs Notes
Adverbs — Classes of Adverbs
Subject: Primary English (Kenya) — Age: 11
Subtopic: Classes of Adverbs
What you will learn: types of adverbs, how they work in sentences, and short practice.
What is an adverb?
An adverb is a word that gives more information about a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells us how, when, where, how often or to what degree something happens.
1. Adverbs of Manner (How?) 🚶♀️
Tell us how something is done. Often answer the question "How?".
Examples: quickly, slowly, carefully, badly
She runs quickly. — How does she run? quickly.
2. Adverbs of Time (When?) 🕒
Tell us when something happens.
Examples: now, yesterday, tomorrow, soon, already
We start lessons at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
3. Adverbs of Place (Where?) 📍
Tell us where something happens.
Examples: here, there, nearby, outside, upstairs
The learners are outside.
4. Adverbs of Frequency (How often?) 🔁
Tell us how often something happens.
Examples: always, often, sometimes, never, every day
My sister always helps with chores.
5. Adverbs of Degree (How much?) 📏
Tell us the intensity or degree.
Examples: very, quite, too, almost, enough
The tea is very hot.
6. Adverbs of Reason / Cause (Why?) ❓
Tell us why something happens. They are often phrases or words like because, therefore, so.
Examples: because, therefore, hence
He stayed home because he was ill.
7. Adverbs of Affirmation & Negation ✅❌
Show if something is true or not.
Examples: yes, no, certainly, not, never
She will certainly come. / He did not go.
Where do adverbs go in a sentence?
- Adverbs of manner and place often come after the verb: She sings beautifully., They played outside.
- Adverbs of time often come at the end or start: We will meet later., Tomorrow, we will practise.
- Adverbs of frequency usually come before the main verb (but after the verb "to be"): He always helps., She is often late.
- Adverbs of degree come before adjectives or other adverbs: It is very cold., She ran quite quickly.
How to form adverbs
Many adverbs of manner are made by adding -ly to an adjective:
Quick (adj) → quickly (adv), happy → happily.
But some are the same as adjectives: fast, early, hard.
Short practice (try these)
- Underline the adverb and name its class: "The children waited patiently."
- Fill in the blank with a suitable adverb of time: "We will go to the market ____."
- Change the adjective to an adverb: "She is loud." → "She speaks _____."
- Choose the adverb of frequency: "My mother ______ (always / here) cooks ugali."
- Identify the adverb of place: "The books are upstairs."
Answers (click to view)
- patiently — Adverb of manner
- Possible answers: "tomorrow", "later", "soon". (Adverb of time)
- loudly (She speaks loudly.)
- always — "My mother always cooks ugali." (Adverb of frequency)
- upstairs — Adverb of place
Remember — quick tips
- Ask the question: How? When? Where? How often? How much? — this helps you find the adverb.
- Not all adverbs end in -ly (e.g., fast, well, early).
- Place adverbs correctly so the sentence sounds natural.
Well done! Try to spot adverbs when you read your English book or listen in class.