Adjective-Adverb Confusion

Adjective-Adverb Confusion

Adjectives and adverbs are often confused and therefore misused. To modify a noun or pronoun, use an adjective. To modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb, use an adverb instead.

Adjective: This cheap scarf is no bargain.
Adverb: This scarf can be purchased cheaply.

Similar Forms of Adjectives and Adverbs

Many adverbs end in ly, but some adjectives do as well. Do not mistake adjectives such as ugly, friendly, and motherly for adverbs.

Some words can be used as adjectives or adverbs. Examples include daily, fast, late, likely, long, low, much, short, slow, and very. Position these words carefully because where they appear in a sentence will determine whether they are read as adjectives or adverbs.

Adjective: He reads his daily horoscope.
Adverb: He reads his horoscope daily.

Predicate Adjectives

Use adjectives, not adverbs, after linking verbs (e.g., be, become, seem) and verbs that refer to sensory experience (e.g., feel, taste, smell).

Incorrect: The cake tastes deliciously.
Correct: The cake tastes delicious.

Adverbs as Adjective Modifiers

Use adverbs, not adjectives, to modify adjectives.

Incorrect: the amazing ordinary woman
Correct: the amazingly ordinary woman

In the first sentence, the woman seems to defy logic by being both amazing and ordinary. The correct example makes clear that the woman’s ordinariness is what is so amazing.