English adverbs

Question

Our teachers are very happy with the results. What does the adverb very modify? Verb adjective or adverb

Answer 1

"Very" is used to modify "happy" in this example. Since "happy" is describing the state or condition which further identifies something unique about the teachers (the teachers are happy, or happy teachers!), then "happy" is functioning as an adjective. Therefore, "very" is modifying an adjective in this case.

Answer 2

An adverb is usually defined as a word that gives more information about a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

 

happy is an adjective.