Adjective-Adverb Confusion

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We use adjectives and adverbs regularly in our everyday conversation—so much so that we might not even consciously realize when and why we use one or the other. The ACT English section will include items that require you to know the difference.

Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.

The young children enjoyed petting the fuzzy rabbit.
- The noun children is modified by the adjective young and the noun rabbit is modified by the adjective fuzzy.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Many (but not all!) end in -ly.

Marco ran quickly after the soccer ball.
- The verb ran is modified by the adverb quickly.

That was a wildly inappropriate comment.
- The adjective inappropriate is modified by the adverb wildly.

I read the note quite slowly.
- The adverb slowly is modified by the adverb quite.

How Will the Test Try to Trick You?
The test will use an adverb where an adjective should be used or an adjective where an adverb should be used.
Adverb instead of Adjective	Sarah plays softball fearless/fearlessly. 🚫 Incorrect: Sarah plays softball fearless. ✅ Correct: Sarah plays softball fearlessly. This sentence describes the way Sarah plays softball—modifying the verb plays. Therefore, it requires an adverb (fearlessly) instead of an adjective (fearless).
Adjective instead of Adverb	The kind/kindly woman gave up her seat on the train for the elderly couple. 🚫 Incorrect: The kindly woman gave up her seat on the train for the elderly couple. ✅ Correct: The kind woman gave up her seat on the train for the elderly couple. This sentence describes the type of woman that gives up her seat—modifying the noun woman. Therefore, it requires an adjective (kind) instead of an adverb (kindly).

Tips and Strategies
Ask yourself, What word is the adjective/adverb describing? What part of speech is it (noun/pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb)?
If it’s a noun or pronoun, use an adjective.	The bright/brightly lights made it easy to see the runway. 🚫 Incorrect: The brightly lights made it easy to see the runway. ✅ Correct: The bright lights made it easy to see the runway. In this case, the word being described is the noun lights. Therefore, the adjective bright is correct.
If it’s a verb, adjective, or another adverb, use an adverb.	The lights glowed bright/brightly on the runway. 🚫 Incorrect: The lights glowed bright on the runway. ✅ Correct: The lights glowed brightly on the runway. In this case, the word being described is the verb glowed. Therefore the adverb brightly is correct.

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