Adjectives & Adverbs: Choosing the Right Word

Why Do We Need Describing Words?

Imagine you are telling a friend about your new pet. You could say, "I have a dog." That is nice, but it does not tell your friend very much! Now try saying, "big, fluffy dog that runs fast." Wow — now your friend can picture it! Words that describe make our sentences colorful and fun.

People have been using describing words for a very, very long time. Let's look at how this idea grew!

The big question this lesson answers is: How do I know when to use an adjective and when to use an adverb? Let's find out!

What Are Adjectives and Adverbs?

These two kinds of words are both describing words, but they have different jobs. Think of them like two helpers on a team. Each helper has one special job to do.

See It! Adjectives vs. Adverbs

Look at the picture below. On the left side, you can see adjectives pointing to nouns. On the right side, you can see adverbs pointing to verbs. Notice how each describing word knows exactly where to go!

See how adjectives on the left always point to a noun (a thing)? And adverbs on the right always point to a verb (an action)? That is the big rule! Ask yourself: "Am I telling about a thing or an action?" Your answer tells you which word to pick.

How to Choose: Adjective or Adverb?

Here is a simple trick you can use every time. Follow these two steps!

Let's try it! Look at this sentence: "The cat is ___." We want to tell about the cat. "Cat" is a noun. So we use an adjective: "The cat is soft."

Now look at this sentence: "The cat runs ___." We want to tell about runs. "Runs" is a verb. So we use an adverb: "The cat runs quickly."

The Big Chart: Types of Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and adverbs come in different types. Some tell about how something looks, some tell about how many, and some tell about when or where. Let's see them all!

Here is a table that shows some common words side by side. The adjective form goes with a noun, and the adverb form goes with a verb.

Do you see the pattern? When we add -ly to many adjectives, they become adverbs! But watch out — not all adverbs end in -ly. Words like fast, well, very, always, and here are also adverbs.

Worked Example: Let's Pick the Right Word!

Let's solve this together, step by step.

Compare: Adjective or Adverb?

Sometimes the same word can trick us! Let's look at some sentences side by side so you can see the difference clearly.

One tricky pair is good and well. We say "She is a good reader" (adjective + noun). But we say "She reads well" (adverb + verb). They mean something close, but "good" goes with nouns and "well" goes with verbs!

What Comes Next?

You have just learned two of the most important word types in English! As you get older, you will learn even more about adjectives and adverbs. Here is a sneak peek at what is coming.

Right now, the most important thing is to keep asking yourself: "Am I describing a thing or an action?" If you can answer that question, you will pick the right word every time. You are building a strong base that will help you become an amazing writer!

Practice Time! 🎉

Now it is your turn! Try each problem, then click "Show Answer" to check your work. You can do this!

What We Learned Today