The United States of America is a union of fifty states and is the third largest country in the world

Adverbs

Adverbs describe verbs (actions). They give more detail about the action.

1. 
   My cat eats slowly.
   

Slowly is an adverb since it describes the way my cat eats.
How does my cat eat? Slowly.
Adverbs will generally answer the question 'How'.
Some adverbs are used to modify an adjective.
Adverbs that do this are: very, extremely, really, totally, absolutely, quite, fairly, well. These are normally placed before the adjective.

• 
  It was very hot yesterday.
  
• 
  He is totally crazy.
  

Types of Adverbs

There are many types of adverbs, such as:
Adverbs of Frequency - always, sometimes, never, etc.
Adverbs of Manner - carefully, slowly
Adverbs of Time and Place - here, yesterday, then
Adverbs of Relative Time - recently, already, soon
Adverbs of Degree - very, extremely, rather
Adverbs of Quantity - a few, a lot, much
Adverbs of Attitude - fortunately, apparently, clearly

Adverbs Word Order

Adverbs are usually placed after the verb:

• 
  He speaks clearly.
  

When there is an object, the adverb is usually placed after the verb + object:

• 
  I put the vase carefully on the table.
  

However, adverbs are never positioned between the verb and the object.

• 
  I read the book quickly. - (Correct)
  I read quickly the book. - (Incorrect)
  

Sometimes adverbs are placed at the beginning of a clause.

• 
  Quickly, I changed my opinion.
  

Practice.

The adverb. Degrees of comparison. Exercises.

Exercise 1. Write three degrees of comparison for the following adverbs. Which of these adverbs do not form any degrees of comparison?
Well, badly, far, here, outside, easily, mostly, fast, loudly, usually, carefully, happily, patiently, dangerously
Exercise 2. Choose the right adverb (degree of comparison) to complete the sentences.

• 
  Alisа smiles even (most brightly / more brightly) than the sun.
  
• 
  The new teacher explains the rules (more completely / completely) than our book.
  
• 
  Jack arrived (latest / most late) at the airport.
  
• 
  Jillian usually climbs (highest /higher) of all the other climbers in her group.
  
• 
  Andrew is speaking even (more louder / louder ) than usual.
  
• 
  Melody dances (most gracefully / more gracefully) of all the girls.
  
• 
  Of all three, Mike runs (fastest / faster).
  
• 
  Of all two, Mike runs (fastest / faster).
  
• 
  Harry swims (slower / slowest) of all the boys in the swimming team.
  
• 
  Yesterday the President spoke (more calmly /calmly) to Congress than usual.
  

Exercise 3. Use the correct form of the adverbs in brackets.

1. 
   Unfortunately, it’s becoming _______ (hard) and _______ (hard) to find a well-paid job.
   
2. 
   This phrase is _______ (widely) used in spoken Russian than in written.
   
3. 
   Your test isn’t good. You can do _______ (well) than you did.
   
4. 
   We walk _______ (fast) than usual to catch the train.
   
5. 
   I know Daniel _______ (well) than you do.
   
6. 
   I used to play tennis _______ (often) than now.
   
7. 
   Could you move a bit_______ (far) away for me to sit here too?
   
8. 
   Mary is driving _______ (slowly) than usual, as the road is wet.
   
9. 
   Of all the group Jimmy did _______ (badly) in the examination.
   
10. 
    Could you speak _______ (distinctly), please?
    

Exercise 4. Say which of these sentences are right and correct the wrong ones.
1. I hope that next time you’ll speak to your uncle more politely. 2. Peter usually comes to his classes most late of his classmates. 3. Who can solve this problem most quickly? 4. This time he listened to his little sister patienter than usual. 5. Could you speak a little slower, please? 6. When I was a very young child I thought that to sing best meant to sing loudest. 7. I think that now I see the whole problem much more clearly. 8. Who lives more near to the school — you or your friend? 9. Alice goes to the theatre frequentest of us all. 10. Will you raise your hands a bit higher, please? I can't see them. 11. In December it snows oftener than in November. 12. He knows three languages but he speaks English easiest. 13. Last night I slept peacefullier than before. 14, Could you come to school more early and water the plants tomorrow? 15. This new computer works most fast and can solve problems in no time.