Words That Are Modified By Adverbs Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: 3.L.3.1.G

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

For better or worse adverbs change the trajectory of adjectives, verbs, other adverbs, and even full sentences. It is usually pretty easy to identify adverbs because they often end in -ly. In this series of worksheets we will be looking specifically at the words that are being modified by adverbs.

Modified By Adverbs Worksheets To Print:

Arrow It Up! – Point out the modifier. In fact smack it with an arrow.

Oceans of Adverbs – This is a double recognition activity.

Column Climbers – Similar to the first two worksheets, but we make you write out the words.

Underlines – Students are provided with a completed example.

When and/or How – The adverb is located for you. You must work off of that.

Brain Teaser – Select the word from each set that the adverb can correctly modify.

That's On The Line! – Select the word from each set that the adverb can correctly modify.

Adverb Hunt – Identify the adverb in each sentence and what each one modifies.

Only Once – Write an answer to each question using one of the adverbs provided.

What's the Word? – Read each sentence and write the adverb that describes the underlined verb.

Writing with Adverbs – In your sentence, does the adverb modify an adjective, a verb, or another adverb?

What Does It Modify? – Identify the adverb in each sentence and what each one modifies.

Fill It Up! – Fill in the blank in each sentence with one of the adverbs provided.

Which Word? – Underline the adverb. Write the word it modifies on the line.

How | When | Where – Here is the killer hint: One sentence contains two adverbs.

How Do Adverbs Modify Words?

Adverbs can do a great deal by slightly modifying a single word. They can start or answer questions. They can give us more specific information relative to the sentence they are in. They can even connect different parts of a sentence. Adverbs are notorious for modifying action verbs. When they do this, they often form sentences that answer a question. Let's take a look at a few examples. Example 1: "Roger abruptly ended the meeting." This example answers the question, "How did Roger end the meeting?" Example 2: "Tammy's phone rang loudly." This example answers the question, "How did Tammy's phone ring?" As we can see, it's hard to answer a question without including the use of an adverb.


There are many instances where adverbs do not end in -ly. A common example of these (non –ly words) are adverbs of degree. These words help us understand how intense something is. Adverbs of degree usually appear just before the word that they modify. A few examples would include the words: almost, enough, and very. Watch the placement of these words in sentences. Example 1: "Dave is almost finished eating." Example 2: "Do you have enough glue for the project?" Example 3: "I'm not very hungry right now." As you can see in each case the adverb of degree appears before the word that it modifies. Adverbs of certainty also follow this pattern of appearing before the words that they modify. Examples words would include: certainly, definitely, probably, and surely.