📚 Detailed Explanation: Is the Word an Adjective or Adverb?

When you want to find out if a word is an adjective or an adverb, there are some useful steps you can follow. Both adjectives and adverbs are important parts of speech in English, and knowing the difference helps you write and speak more clearly. Let’s look at how to spot each one!

📝 What is an Adjective?

An adjective is a word that describes a noun. It tells you more about a person, place, thing, or animal. For example:

  • The blue sky
  • A happy dog
  • The tall tree

Adjectives answer questions like:

  • What kind?
  • Which one?
  • How many?

🕵️‍♀️ What is an Adverb?

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells you how, when, where, or how often something happens. For example:

  • She runs quickly. (How does she run?)
  • The book is very interesting. (Describing an adjective)
  • He arrived early. (When did he arrive?)

Adverbs often answer questions like:

  • How?
  • When?
  • Where?
  • How much?

🔍 How to Identify if a Word is an Adjective or Adverb

  1. Look at the word the word is describing:
    • If it describes a noun, it is an adjective.
    • If it describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb, it is an adverb.
  2. Check the ending of the word:
    • Many adverbs end in -ly (e.g., quickly, happily, loudly).
    • Adjectives usually do not end in -ly (e.g., quick, happy, loud).
    • But watch out! Some words end in -ly but are adjectives (like friendly) — so check what the word describes.
  3. Try replacing the word:
    • Replace the word with a known adjective or adverb and see if the sentence still makes sense.
    • Example: The bright star. (Adjective — try “happy star” — makes sense.)
    • He runs fast. (Adverb — try “quickly” instead.)

✍️ Example Sentences to Practice

  • The red balloon floats high.
    • What is red? Balloon (noun) → red is an adjective.
  • She spoke softly to her friend.
    • How did she speak? Softly (describes verb) → softly is an adverb.
  • They live in a quiet village.
    • What kind of village? Quiet (describes noun) → quiet is an adjective.
  • He finished the race quickly.
    • How did he finish? Quickly (describes verb) → quickly is an adverb.

💡 Study Tip:

When practising, underline the word you want to identify, then ask:

  • What word does it describe? Noun = adjective, verb/adjective/adverb = adverb.
  • Does it end with -ly? Often adverb, but always check meaning!

By following these steps, you can become confident in deciding whether a word is an adjective or an adverb in your English lessons. Keep practising with different sentences and soon you will find it easy! 😊

📝 10 Examination-Style 1-Mark Questions: Identify Adjective or Adverb?

  1. The cat moved very quickly across the garden.
    Is “quickly” an adjective or adverb?
  2. She wore a red dress to the party.
    Is “red” an adjective or adverb?
  3. The dog barked loudly at the stranger.
    Is “loudly” an adjective or adverb?
  4. He ate a big sandwich for lunch.
    Is “big” an adjective or adverb?
  5. The students answered the questions correctly.
    Is “correctly” an adjective or adverb?
  6. That was a brilliant idea!
    Is “brilliant” an adjective or adverb?
  7. She sings beautifully in the choir.
    Is “beautifully” an adjective or adverb?
  8. They live in a small house near the school.
    Is “small” an adjective or adverb?
  9. He quickly ran home after school.
    Is “home” an adjective or adverb?
  10. The weather was cold and windy yesterday.
    Is “cold” an adjective or adverb?

Write only one word: “adjective” or “adverb”.

✅ 10 Examination-Style 2-Mark Questions with 1-Sentence Answers: Is the Word an Adjective or Adverb?

  1. In the sentence “The quick fox jumped over the lazy dog,” is the word “quick” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Quick” is an adjective because it describes the noun “fox.”
  2. In the sentence “She sings beautifully,” is the word “beautifully” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Beautifully” is an adverb because it describes how she sings.
  3. In the sentence “The tall building stands near the river,” is the word “tall” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Tall” is an adjective because it describes the noun “building.”
  4. In the sentence “He ran quickly to catch the bus,” is the word “quickly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Quickly” is an adverb because it tells us how he ran.
  5. In the sentence “The bright stars lit up the night sky,” is the word “bright” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Bright” is an adjective because it describes the noun “stars.”
  6. In the sentence “She spoke softly during the meeting,” is the word “softly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Softly” is an adverb because it describes how she spoke.
  7. In the sentence “I have a red apple,” is the word “red” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Red” is an adjective because it tells us about the noun “apple.”
  8. In the sentence “They moved slowly through the forest,” is the word “slowly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Slowly” is an adverb because it describes how they moved.
  9. In the sentence “The cold wind blew all night,” is the word “cold” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Cold” is an adjective because it describes the noun “wind.”
  10. In the sentence “He answers questions confidently,” is the word “confidently” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: “Confidently” is an adverb because it tells us how he answers questions.

🖊️ 10 Examination-Style 4-Mark Questions on Adjectives and Adverbs with 6-Sentence Answers

  1. Question: Is the word “quickly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “quickly” is an adverb. Adverbs describe how actions are done. In the sentence “She runs quickly,” “quickly” tells us how she runs. It adds more detail to the verb “runs.” Adjectives describe nouns, but “quickly” does not describe a noun here. That is why “quickly” is an adverb.
  2. Question: Is the word “happy” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “happy” is an adjective. Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns. In the phrase “a happy dog,” “happy” describes the dog. It tells us what kind of dog it is. Adverbs would describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Since “happy” describes a noun, it is an adjective.
  3. Question: Is the word “carefully” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “carefully” is an adverb. It shows how something is done. For example, “She painted carefully.” “Carefully” describes the way she painted. Adjectives do not explain how actions happen. Therefore, “carefully” is an adverb because it describes a verb.
  4. Question: Is the word “bright” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “bright” is an adjective. Adjectives describe or give more information about nouns. For example, in “a bright light,” “bright” tells us about the light. It cannot describe a verb in this sentence. Since it describes a noun, “bright” is an adjective.
  5. Question: Is the word “quietly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “quietly” is an adverb. Adverbs often end in “-ly” and describe verbs. For example, “He spoke quietly.” “Quietly” tells us how he spoke. Adjectives describe nouns, but “quietly” adds information about the verb. This shows that “quietly” is an adverb.
  6. Question: Is the word “strong” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “strong” is an adjective. It describes nouns or pronouns. For example, in “a strong boy,” “strong” describes the boy. It gives details about him. It cannot describe how an action is done. Therefore, “strong” is an adjective.
  7. Question: Is the word “beautifully” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “beautifully” is an adverb. It describes how something happens. For example, “She sings beautifully.” “Beautifully” explains the way she sings, which is a verb. Adjectives do not usually end with “-ly” and do not describe verbs. So, “beautifully” is an adverb.
  8. Question: Is the word “cold” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “cold” is an adjective. It describes nouns. For example, in “a cold day,” “cold” tells us about the day. It does not describe an action. This makes “cold” an adjective.
  9. Question: Is the word “slowly” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “slowly” is an adverb. It shows how something is done. For example, “He walked slowly.” “Slowly” describes how he walked, which is a verb. Adjectives do not tell us how actions happen. Therefore, “slowly” is an adverb.
  10. Question: Is the word “red” an adjective or an adverb?
    Answer: The word “red” is an adjective. Adjectives describe nouns by giving more information. For example, in “a red apple,” “red” describes the apple. It does not explain how an action is done. Since it describes a noun, “red” is an adjective.

🧠 10 Examination-Style 6-Mark Questions on Identifying Adjectives or Adverbs with Answers for Year 6

Question 1

Is the word quickly in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
She quickly ran to the shop.

Answer:
The word quickly is an adverb. It tells us how she ran. Adverbs often end in -ly and describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Since quickly describes the action of running, it is an adverb. Adjectives usually describe nouns, but quickly does not describe a noun here. The sentence shows the way she ran, so it modifies the verb ran. Therefore, quickly is an adverb.

Question 2

Is the word blue in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The blue car sped down the road.

Answer:
The word blue is an adjective. It describes the noun car. Adjectives give us more information about nouns and pronouns, such as colour, size, or quality. In this sentence, blue tells us what kind of car it is. It does not describe a verb, so it is not an adverb. Since it gives details about the noun directly, blue is an adjective.

Question 3

Is the word very in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
She was very tired after the long journey.

Answer:
The word very is an adverb in this sentence. It modifies the adjective tired by making it stronger. Adverb very is used to show degree or intensity. It tells us how tired she was. It does not describe a noun but modifies an adjective instead. Adjectives only describe nouns, so very can’t be an adjective here. Because very changes the adjective, it is an adverb.

Question 4

Is the word happy in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The happy children played outside.

Answer:
The word happy is an adjective. It describes the noun children. Adjectives provide information about how something or someone is, like feelings or qualities. Here, happy tells us the mood of the children. Since it modifies a noun and not a verb, happy is an adjective. Adverbs usually describe verbs or adjectives, but happy is describing a noun. So, happy is an adjective.

Question 5

Is the word loudly in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The dog barked loudly during the night.

Answer:
Loudly is an adverb. It tells us how the dog barked. Adverbs often end with -ly and describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Here, loudly modifies the verb barked. It does not describe a noun, so it is not an adjective. Since it explains the manner of the barking, loudly is an adverb.

Question 6

Is the word bright in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The bright stars shone in the sky.

Answer:
Bright is an adjective. It describes the noun stars. Adjectives tell us more about a noun or pronoun, such as colour or appearance. Here, bright explains the kind of stars. It isn’t an adverb because it does not describe a verb or an adjective. Since it gives us more information about the stars, bright is an adjective.

Question 7

Is the word slowly in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
He slowly opened the old door.

Answer:
Slowly is an adverb. It modifies the verb opened by describing how he opened the door. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. The word slowly ends with -ly, which is common for adverbs but not adjectives. It does not describe a noun in this sentence. Since slowly tells us the manner of the action, it is an adverb.

Question 8

Is the word green in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The green leaves fluttered in the wind.

Answer:
Green is an adjective. It describes the noun leaves. Adjectives give more detail about nouns, like colour, shape, or size. In this sentence, green tells us the colour of the leaves. It does not modify a verb or adjective, so it is not an adverb. Since it describes the noun leaves, green is an adjective.

Question 9

Is the word happily in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
They happily sang their favourite song.

Answer:
Happily is an adverb. It describes how they sang the song. Adverbs modify verbs and often end in -ly. It does not describe a noun, so it cannot be an adjective. Since it tells us the manner of singing, happily is an adverb.

Question 10

Is the word small in this sentence an adjective or adverb?
The small kitten curled up on the sofa.

Answer:
Small is an adjective. It gives information about the noun kitten. Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns by telling us their size, colour, or type. Here, small describes the size of the kitten. It does not modify a verb or adjective, so it is not an adverb. Therefore, small is an adjective.