Adverbs and Adjectives Exercise

Adjectives are words used to modify nouns. Examples are: kind, soft, clever, intelligent and
beautiful. Adverbs are words used to modify verbs. Adverbs can also modify adjectives and
other adverbs. Examples are: kindly, softly, cleverly, intelligently, only, very, too, tomorrow,
early etc.

This grammar exercise tests your ability to use adjectives and adverbs correctly.

1. The evening was . cold.

bitter
bitterly
Either could be used here

Bitter is an adjective and bitterly is an adverb. We use adverbs to modify verbs and
adjectives.

2. I couldnt help .. at the joke.

but laugh
laughing
Either could be used here

The expression 'couldnt help + ing' has the same meaning as the expression 'couldnt help
but + infinitive without to'.

3. I have never seen a more . cricket match.

exciting
excited
Either could be used here

A match cannot be excited. An exciting match keeps spectators excited.

4. This movie is .. interesting.

so
too

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 Adverbs and Adjectives Exercise

very

Very and so are possible here. Too has a negative meaning.

5. I am annoyed to hear this.

very
so
too

Very and so are not followed by to-infinitives.

6. He was . tired that he could barely stand.

so
too
very

Note the pattern: sothat

7. You must not waste your . earned money.

hard
hardly
Either could be used here

The correct expression is 'hard-earned money'. Hardly is similar to scarcely.

8. No one can write as .. as he does.

neat
neatly
Either could be used here

Neat is an adjective and neatly is an adverb. We need an adverb to modify a verb.

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 Adverbs and Adjectives Exercise

9. I cannot by means allow you to go.

any
no
Either could be used here

10. The fish tasted

awful
awfully
Either could be used here

Taste is a copular verb. After copular verbs we use adjectives, not adverbs.

11. The problem looked .

difficult
difficultly
difficulty

Look is a copular verb. After copular verbs, we use adjectives, not adverbs.

12. I . having read a more enjoyable book.

never remember
do not remember
Either could be used here

The use of never for not is incorrect in many cases.

PLAY AGAIN !

Answers

1. The evening was bitterly cold.

2. I couldnt help but laugh / laughing at the joke.
3. I have never seen a more exciting cricket match.

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 Adverbs and Adjectives Exercise

4. This movie is very / so interesting.

5. I am too annoyed to hear this.
6. He was so tired that he could barely stand.
7. You must not waste your hard-earned money.
8. No one can write as neatly as he does.
9. I cannot by any means allow you to go.
10. The fish tasted awful.
11. The problem looked difficult.
12. I do not remember having read a more enjoyable book.

Source: www.englishgrammar.org