What is the primary function of an adverb?

Prepare for the TEAS English Language Usage Test with flashcards and detailed explanations. Ace the test with ease and confidence!

An adverb's primary function is to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing additional information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action is performed or a quality is expressed. For example, in the sentence "She ran quickly," the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "ran," indicating the manner of running. Similarly, in the phrase "very tall," the adverb "very" modifies the adjective "tall," intensifying the description of height. This modification helps to create a more vivid and precise understanding of the action or description being conveyed, enhancing communication in writing and speech.

Other options represent different grammatical functions: connecting clauses relates to conjunctions, describing nouns pertains to adjectives, and expressing a complete thought relates to sentence structure rather than the specific role of adverbs.

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