An adverb is a word that modifies (describes, elaborates on) a verb, adjective, or other adverb.

The adverbs in that sentence are yesterday (modifies the verb ran), quite (modifies the adjective relieved), very (modifies the adverb quickly), quickly (modifies the verb ran), and frantically (modifies the verb waving).

If you still need help finding adverbs, try this method: Ask yourself if the word you're wondering about answers one of these questions: how, when, where, why, under what circumstances, how much, how often, or to what extent?

In the example, yesterday answers the question when?; quite answers the question to what extent?; very answers the question to what extent? (or how much?); quickly answers the question how? (or to what extent?); and frantically answers the question how?

The Joiners: Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are in a category of their own. These words join independent clauses into one sentence.

Common conjunctive adverbs

Use conjunctive adverbs to join short sentences into complex thoughts; however, (did you notice the conjunctive adverb there?) be sure that:

• you have a complete thought on either side of the conjunctive adverb

• you put a semicolon before it and a comma after it

• you're joining two closely related thoughts

• you've used the right conjunctive adverb

English has a small group of adverbs known as intensifiers or qualifiers. These words increase the intensity of the adjectives and other adverbs they modify. Common intensifiers are awfully, extremely, kind of, more, most, pretty, quite, rather, really, somewhat, sort of, very, and too.