321. Making an Adjective into an Adverb

Sharon Porterfield

An adjective modifies a noun. Tom is a quick runner.
An adverb modifies an action. Tom runs quickly.

Mom is happy when she makes dinner. Mom happily makes dinner .
Ron is a slow reader. Ron reads slowly.
That is a loud band. The band plays loudly.

Here are more examples of adjectives modifying a noun:
Mark gave a false statement to the police.
Sarah gave a true statement.
I tied a loose knot in my shoelace.

These sentences show the adverb modifying the verb:
Mark spoke falsely.
Sarah spoke truthfully.
I loosely tied the knot.

An adjective can be turned into an adverb by adding –ly.

  • Now you try it. Change the adjective in the first sentence into an adverb for the second sentence. Tom is a  sad boy. Tom sang ______. Did you find the correct -ly word to put into the blank? Good for you!