Most adverbs end in -ly. However, some adjectives and adverbs have exactly the same form. To identify whether a word is used as an adjective or as an adverb, look for the word it modifies. An adjective modifies a noun while an adverb modifies a verb.

Read and study the following sentences:

A:  1. We woke up early last Saturday.

     2. My parents are early risers.

B:  1. We travelled far from Manila.

     2. Our destination is far.

C:  1. "Please don't drive fast," said Mom to Dad.

     2. There were fast cars that zoomed ahead of us.

D:  1. We arrived late for the festival.

     2. We arrived in the late hours.

The italicized words in the first sentences are used as adverbs. They modify verbs.

• The adverb early modifies the verb, woke up.

• The adverb far modifies the verb, travelled.

• The adverb fast modifies the verb, drive.

• The adverb late modifies the verb, arrived.

The italicized words in the second sentences are used as adjectives. They modify nouns.

• The adjective early modifies the noun, risers.

• The adjective far modifies the noun, destination.

• The adjective fast modifies the noun, cars.

• The adjective late modifies the noun, hours.

Early, far, fast, and late are some words that do not change form or spelling whether they are used as adjectives or adverbs.

Here are some other words that retain the same form whether they are used as adjectives or adverbs.