Identifying Adverbs

GOAL:: To recognize and correctly use adverbs in sentence construction.

Objective:: The student will be able to:; 1. Describe the grammatical function of adverbs.; 2. Identify adverbs in simple sentences.; 3. List the different positions adverbs can have in the sentence.; 4. Use adverbs correctly in the construction of simple sentences.

Energy Objectives:: The student will be able to:; 1. Compare incandescent and fluorescent lighting systems.; 2. List ways to help reduce lighting costs.

Lesson Information:: Adverbs are another type of modifier. Adverbs usually answer one of the following questions:; When?; Where?; How?; To What Extent?

EXAMPLE 1:: Start saving energy today. (When); The light switch is close to the door. (Where); Change light bulbs carefully. (How); Fluorescent bulbs are very efficient. (Extent); One sentence may contain many adverbs that answer a variety of these questions. See EXAMPLE 2.

EXAMPLE 2:: Approximately 20% of the money spent on lighting in the U.S. today is wasted as homeowners and business owners everywhere are not very careful, or perhaps not very interested, in working diligently to save on lighting costs.; Adverbs can take many positions in the sentence since adverbs may modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. It is thus sometimes a difficult task to locate ALL adverbs present. See EXAMPLE 3.

EXAMPLE 3:: *** Note: Verbs are capitalized. ***; The homeowner must carefully READ labels on light bulb packages to determine wattage and lumen output. The adverb "carefully" modifies the verb "read" and answers the question - "how?"; Incandescent bulbs are not very EFFICIENT light producers. The adverb "very" modifies the adjective "efficient" and answers the question - "to what extent?"; In comparison to fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs seem to burn very QUICKLY. The adverb "very" modifies the adverb "quickly" and answers the question - "to what extent?"

Activity D-1:: Of the three bold-faced words in each sentence below, circle the two that are adverbs.; 1. Lighting usually represents only 5% of the average monthly energy bill.; 2. Today bulbs are sold by wattage; the higher the wattage the more energy used to properly operate the bulb.; 3. Bulb efficiency is carefully measured by how much visible light is produced per watt; this is also referred to as lumens per watt.; 4. It is usually best to purchase bulbs with the highest lumen output per watt; this may not necessarily be the bulb with the highest wattage.; 5. Homes today are lit primarily with incandescent light bulbs.; Adverbs can be found almost anywhere in the sentence. For example, an adverb may be found near the verb it is modifying, or removed from it. See EXAMPLE 4.

EXAMPLE 4:: Lighting should be carefully focused.; Focus lighting carefully.; Carefully focus the lighting.

Activity D-2:

Rewrite the following sentences adding an adverb to modify the bold-faced word.

1. Light bulbs and fixtures should be cleaned.

____________________________________________________________

2. Turning off lights is important when leaving a room.

____________________________________________________________

3. Lighting costs can add up quickly.

____________________________________________________________

One hint to remember is that many adverbs that tell how or to what extent have the suffix "ly". Some are as follows:


really	carefully	accidentally
slowly	naturally	adequately
quickly	definitely	sincerely

Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between adjectives and adverbs. REMEMBER: Adjectives always modify nouns or pronouns. Adverbs always modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs. See EXAMPLE 5.

EXAMPLE 5:: The early shopper may get the best deal. (Adjective = early, modifies noun = shopper); It is best to arrive at the store early. (Adverb = early, modifies verb = arrive)

Activity R-1:: In the following sentences circle all adverbs.; 1. Recently it has been found that fluorescent lighting is much more efficient than incandescent lighting.; 2. Fluorescent lighting safely produces four times as much light per watt as incandescent bulbs; this can very quickly add to savings on the utility bill.; 3. Compact fluorescent bulbs that easily screw into conventional incandescent sockets are available. Why not look for these bulbs in your local store tomorrow?; 4. Daylight is very efficient lighting; however, daylight may cause glare and the homeowner will now have to shade the window areas.; 5. In general, most homeowners could quite easily save on energy costs by incorporating more fluorescent lighting into their homes.

Activity R-2:

Reread the sentences in Activity R-1. Use the following chart to list all adverbs, the word the adverb modifies, and the part of speech of the modified word. Write a "V" for verb, an "Adj" for adjective, and an "Adv" for adverb.

          Adverb              Modified Word       Part of Speech

     1.   _______________     _______________     __________

          _______________     _______________     __________
     
     2.   _______________     _______________     __________

          _______________     _______________     __________
     
          _______________     _______________     __________

     3.   _______________     _______________     __________

          _______________     _______________     __________

     4.   _______________     _______________     __________
     
          _______________     _______________     __________

     5.   _______________     _______________     __________
     
          _______________     _______________     __________

RECOMMENDED READING:: Governor's Energy Office. The Facts of Light: Save it, Florida. Tallahassee, FL: Governor's Energy Office, 1986.; U.S. Department of Energy. Information: Energy Efficient Lighting. FS 141, Second Edition.

INFORMATION CHECK: 1. Define adverb. What three parts of speech can an adverb modify?; 2. What four questions can you ask to help you identify the adverbs in a sentence?; 3. Write a sentence that contains at least four adverbs. There should be an adverb to answer each of the above questions.; True/False:; _____4. Only about 5% of the average household energy budget is used for lighting.; _____5. The term lumen refers to actual visible light produced.; _____6. It is not possible to use fluorescent bulbs in older incandescent light fixtures.; _____7. Fluorescent bulbs use electricity more efficiently than incandescent bulbs and produce about four times as much light per watt.; _____8. Daylight is really a very poor source of light; it is not strong enough to improve visibility.

TEACHER'S NOTES
Activity D-1:: 1. usually, only; 2. today, properly; 3. carefully, also; 4. usually, necessarily; 5. today, primarily

Activity D-2:: Student sentences will vary; examples follow.; 1. Light bulbs and fixtures should be cleaned regularly.; 2. Turning off lights is very important when leaving a room.; 3. Lighting costs can add up somewhat quickly.

Activity R-1, R-2:

     Adverb              Modified Word       Part of Speech
1.   recently            found                    V 
     much                more efficient           Adj 
2.   safely              produces                 V
     very                quickly                  Adv 
     quickly             add                      V
3.   easily              screw                    V
     tomorrow            look                     V
4.   very                efficient                Adj
     now                 have                     V
5.   quite               easily                   Adv
     easily              save                     V

Answers to Information Check:: 1. Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.; 2. Adverbs answer: when? where? how? to what extent?; 3. Student answers will vary; an example follows: Today, one could very easily reduce his energy bill by reading the information presented here. (When = today; where = here; how = easily; to what extent = very); 4. True; 5. True; 6. False; 7. True; 8. False

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