A guide to powerful adverbs
Looking for a handy way to improve your vocabulary? Try some powerful adverbs! Adverbs are a valuable part of our language tool kit, giving us a chance to describe an action fully.
They’re also a significant next step for children to learn about when they’ve got the hang of more basic word classes like verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
Adverbs are also a fun way to boost vocabulary, teaching children about the subtle differences between words while expanding how they can respond in their speech and writing.
There are five basic types of adverbs. These are:
- Adverbs of time
- Adverbs of manner
- Adverbs of degree
- Adverbs of place
- Adverbs of frequency
Adverbs can be super effective in a range of settings if used correctly.
What makes a powerful adverb?
For an adverb to work in a sentence, it has to have a clear purpose. For example, it could describe how an action was done, it could add another description to a noun and adjective, or it could be used to add emphasis.
Powerful adverbs add punch to a sentence by underlining the point you’d want to make. However, it’s important to note that too many weak adverbs can harm writing more. It is valid for more general adverbs like ‘really’ or ‘actually,’ which can feel like filler words. Take the following sentences:
“The car was prolonged.”
“The car was uncomfortably slow.”
“David sang very well.”
“David sang hauntingly.”
In these two examples, the bottom adverb has more tone and personality, thanks to the specificity, making them powerful.
Powerful adverbs to modify verbs
The ability to modify verbs is perhaps the first thing you think of when it comes to adverbs. Adverbs are great for describing how an action happened. It can give a sense of tone to a character’s actions if we’re writing a story or painting a more precise image in the listener’s mind during the conversation. Here are some adverbs that modify verbs and examples in a sentence.
| Powerful adverb | Meaning | Example in a sentence |
| Angrily | In bad temper | The boy spoke angrily |
| Cautiously | To do an action carefully or with hesitation | Sarah cautiously crossed the road |
| Gracefully | To do something with sophistication and elegance | He danced as gracefully as a swan |
| Enthusiastically | When something is done in an excited manner | We all enthusiastically sang along |
| Lovingly | With care and affection | Mum lovingly spooned her soup into my bowl |
Powerful adverbs to modify adjectives
Adverbs also have the power to make a description more specific and evocative. Want to make it clear just how big something is? Adverbs have you covered. Wanting to say just how cold you were? There’s an adverb for that. Here are some powerful adverbs that you can use to modify adjectives:
| Powerful adverb | Meaning | Example in a sentence |
| Unusually | Not typical | Sarah was unusually tall for her age |
| Surprisingly | Shocking | The test was surprisingly easy |
| Wickedly | Devious | The singer is wickedly talented |
| Often | In regular occurrence | My hands are often cold |
| Slightly | A small amount | I am slightly tired |
Powerful adverbs to modify other adverbs
So. Many. Adverbs. Sometimes one won’t do it! It is especially true for common adverbs, such as adverbs of frequency and location, which might not be detailed enough on their own. Here are some adverbs that can modify other adverbs:
| Powerful adverb | Meaning | Example in a sentence |
| Incredibly | Similar to amazingly | The race was finished incredibly quickly |
| Happily | With joy | The trophy sat happily atop the shelf |
| Silently | Without any sound | Our dog sits silently behind us |
| Unexpectedly | Similar to surprisingly | The meeting finished unexpectedly early |
A list of powerful adverbs
To round off the focus on vocabulary, here’s a handy list of powerful adverbs that you could use to inspire your students.
- Angrily
- Anxiously
- Brightly
- Cautiously
- Cheerfully
- Courageously
- Crossly
- Cruelly
- Defiantly
- Doubtfully
- Elegantly
- Enthusiastically
- Excitedly
- Foolishly
- Frantically
- Gently
- Gladly
- Glumly
- Gracefully
- Happily
- Harshly
- Hungrily
- Loudly
- Oddly
- Sternly
- Stylishly
- Tactfully
- Tightly
These are all words that add a bit more pizazz to a sentence. It’s also important to note that overusing adverbs can be harmful. So, before writing, think about whether these words could be expressed as a verb or adjective first.
