We have learned that adverbs modify verbs and adverbs modify adjectives. Adverbs also modify adverbs. An adverb tells more about the action of a verb. When an adverb modifies another adverb, the second adverb is intensifying the action of the verb.
Mark ran slowly up the hill.
Slowly is an adverb modifying the action ran. Slowly tells how Mark ran.
Mark ran very slowly up the hill.
We already know that slowly modifies the verb ran.
In this new sentence, the adverb very modifies the adverb slowly. Very intensifies the adverb slowly.
How slowly did Mark run? He ran very slowly.
Really is another adverb that modifies, or intensifies, adverbs.
My mom reads quickly. The adverb quickly tells more about how Mom reads.
My mom reads really quickly. Now we’ve added a second adverb – really – to tell more about how Mom reads.
Use the adverbs very and really to modify another adverb. These adverbs are used to intensify the action in a sentence.
▶It’s your turn. Add an intensifier adverb to this sentence. Baily sings well. Did you figure out which word to add to this sentence? Good for you!