This is the script to my video about “Adverbs”
Mark Twain said, “If you see an adverb, kill it.”
Elmore Leonard said, “Using adverbs is a mortal sin.”
… and I can’t even repeat what Stephen King said. (“The Horror!”)
An adverb is a part of speech that (when used right) is heavenly — but when used too often? “YUK!”
Hi … I’m Jim Lamb. … Let’s get started.
There was a popular TV show for kids back in the 1970s called “School House Rock.” … I loved it. … “School House Rock” covered a variety of topics, including grammar, science, history, and math.
My favorite episode was about Adverbs. It went like this:
“Lolly Lolly Lolly, get your adverbs here
Got a lot of lolly, jolly adverbs here”
The lively little tune explained that an adverb is a word that modifies a verb. It can also modify an adjective, another adverb, or even a group of words.
The Lolly song claimed that an adverb was “positively, very, very, necessary.”
There’s just one problem — it’s not …. necessary, that is.
Why? Because …
· Some writers overuse adverbs.
· Others don’t know how to use them.
· And some writers use adverbs to add to their word count without adding any value — and that’s a very, very, very, very wrong thing to do.
However, when used wisely, an adverb can clarify.
For example, consider this sentence: “The painter painted the house.”
Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Now, let’s add an adverb: “The painter painted the house neatly.” Notice how the adverb clarifies what kind of job the painter did.
Another nice thing about adverbs is how quick you can make one. Quick becomes quickly by simply adding an LY. Slow becomes slow-LY. Neat is transformed into neat-LY.
And remember: An adverb can modify (or qualify) and, in doing so, express a relationship in terms of time, place, circumstance, manner, cause, or degree.
For example, consider the following:
· I felt the movie ended abruptly.
· Aunt Jenny’s teacup must be handled gently.
· My neighbor answered the survey truthfully.
Here’s some context:
· Carefully, correctly, and easily are Adverbs of Manner.
· Adverbs of Place: Here. There. Outside.
· Adverbs of Time: Early. Soon. Tomorrow.
· Adverbs of Frequency: Always. Daily. Seldom.
So remember … use adverbs thoughtfully, carefully, but with restraint.
I’m Jim Lamb — and you’ve just learned a little Somethin’-Somethin’ about Adverbs.
To view the video, click here.
