For an interactive study experience with progress tracking, bookmarks, and solutions, try our reader.
Open in Interactive ReaderIntroduction
Adjectives and Adverbs are some of the most frequently tested grammar items in the NEB examinations. Board exams test this area via sentence correction, filling in blanks, and rewriting sentences.
Grammar मा धेरै students confuse हुने topic मध्ये adjective र adverb सबैभन्दा important topic हो। NEB board मा fill in the blanks, correction, transformation, identify grammar items, rewriting आदि questions frequently आउँछन्।
Adjective (विशेषण)
An adjective is a word that modifies or describes a noun or pronoun. It details their quality, state, quantity, shape, or number.
Adjective भनेको noun वा pronoun को गुण, अवस्था, संख्या, आकार, मात्रा आदि बताउने शब्द हो।
He is a tall boy. (Describes what kind of boy)
She has a beautiful dress.
It is a difficult question.
Easy Find: Mostly noun भन्दा अगाडि आउँछ (e.g., a smart student, a big house).
Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)
An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually describes how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs.
Adverb भनेको verb, adjective वा अर्को adverb लाई describe गर्ने शब्द हो।
He runs quickly. (Describes how he runs)
She is very beautiful.
He runs very fast.
Easy Find: Ask How? When? Where? or How much? to the verb to find the adverb.
Adjective vs Adverb Comparison
Use Adjectives for nouns and Adverbs for actions or descriptors.
| Word Type | What it describes | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective | Noun / Pronoun | She is a beautiful girl. |
| Adverb | Verb / Adj / Adv | She sings beautifully. |
Types of Adjectives
1. Adjective of Quality
गुण वा अवस्था बताउँछ।
beautifulhonestintelligent
2. Adjective of Quantity
मात्रा (Amount) बताउँछ।
littlesomemuch
3. Adjective of Number
संख्या (Count) बताउँछ।
twomanyseveral
4. Demonstrative Adjective
noun लाई औंल्याउने (Point out) गर्छ।
thisthatthesethose
Types of Adverbs
1. Adverb of Manner
काम कसरी भयो भनेर बताउँछ।
quicklyslowlycarefully
2. Adverb of Time
काम कहिले भयो भनेर समय बताउँछ।
todayyesterdaynow
3. Adverb of Place
काम कुन ठाउँमा भयो भनेर बताउँछ।
herethereeverywhere
4. Adverb of Degree
कति मात्रा वा कति strong छ भनेर बुझाउँछ।
verytooenoughquite
Adverb Formation & Important Exceptions
General Rule: Adjective + ly = Adverb
| Adjective | Adverb | Irregular Adjective | Adverb (Irregular) |
|---|---|---|---|
| quick | quickly | fast | fast (NOT fastly) |
| slow | slowly | hard | hard (NOT hardly) |
| careful | carefully | late | late (NOT lately) |
| beautiful | beautifully | early | early (NOT earlyly) |
Hard vs Hardly — Exam Trap!
Hard is an adjective/adverb meaning with effort. Hardly is an adverb meaning almost not.
Both are grammatically valid adverbs, but they have completely different meanings. Placing them in the wrong context is a classic board trap.
He works hard. (He puts in physical/mental effort)
I can hardly hear you. (I almost cannot hear you)
She studied hard for the exams. (Put in continuous effort)
Good vs Well — Part of Speech Rule
Good is an Adjective (describes a noun). Well is an Adverb (describes a verb). Exception: 'Well' can be an adjective when referring to health.
Correct Format
She is a good singer. (singer is a noun)She sings well. (sings is a verb)He plays well. (plays is a verb)Incorrect Format
She sings good. (Wrong use of adjective to modify verb)He plays good. (Wrong use of adjective to modify verb)The Linking Verb Rule
After linking verbs, always use an Adjective, not an adverb. Linking verbs express states of being rather than active physical motions.
isamarewaswereseemlookfeeltastesmellbecome
Correct Format
She looks beautiful.The soup tastes good.I feel happy.Incorrect Format
She looks beautifully.The soup tastes well.I feel happily.Few, Little, Many, Much Distinctions
Categorized by countability of the noun they modify.
| Measure Word | Noun Class | Example | Meaning Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Few | Countable Noun | Few books were available. | Almost none (negative) |
| A few | Countable Noun | I have a few friends. | Some (positive) |
| Little | Uncountable Noun | There is little water left. | Almost none (negative) |
| A little | Uncountable Noun | A little water is enough. | Some (positive) |
| Many | Countable Noun | Many students came. | Large quantity |
| Much | Uncountable Noun | We need much patience. | Large amount |
Degrees of Adjectives
Positive, Comparative (compares two nouns), and Superlative (compares more than two nouns).
| Degree Type | Form Structure | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Base Form | Ram is a tall boy. |
| Comparative | Base + er (or more) | Shyam is taller than Ram. |
| Superlative | Base + est (or most) | Hari is the tallest boy in class. |
Irregular Degree Exceptions
Do not add -er/-est or more/most to these irregular forms.
| Positive | Comparative | Superlative |
|---|---|---|
| good | better | best |
| bad | worse | worst |
| little | less | least |
| many / much | more | most |
| far | farther / further | farthest / furthest |
Grammar Modifier Structure Rules
Check word positions for modifiers like Enough, Too, So, and Such.
Correct Format
He is tall enough. (adjective + enough)We have enough money. (enough + noun)It is too hot to drink. (too + adjective)She is so intelligent. (so + adjective)She is such an intelligent girl. (such + article + adj + noun)Incorrect Format
He is enough tall. (Incorrect positioning)The water is hot too. (In wrong contextual meaning of 'too')Adjective Sequence Order Rule
When using multiple adjectives together, the standard grammatical order is: Opinion → Size → Age → Color → Noun.
Correct Format
a beautiful (opinion) big (size) old (age) red (color) housea smart (opinion) young (age) boyIncorrect Format
a red old beautiful house (Incorrect order of color, age, and opinion)Common Board Exam Mistakes
She sings good.
She sings well.
He looks beautifully.
He looks beautiful.
There are much students in class.
There are many students in class.
He ran very fastly.
He ran very fast.
She is more taller than me.
She is taller than me.
Easy Level Practice
Easy Level
1
Anil runs fast. (Identify the adverb in this sentence.)
Correct! Here, 'fast' describes the active verb 'runs', so it acts as an adverb.
Correct: fast. Here, 'fast' describes the active verb 'runs', so it acts as an adverb.
2
The lesson was easy. (Identify the adjective in this sentence.)
Correct! 'Easy' acts as a predicate adjective describing the state of the noun 'lesson'.
Correct: easy. 'Easy' acts as a predicate adjective describing the state of the noun 'lesson'.
3
The children played happily in the garden. (Identify the adverb in this sentence.)
Correct! 'Happily' is an adverb of manner modifying the action verb 'played'.
Correct: happily. 'Happily' is an adverb of manner modifying the action verb 'played'.
4
They slept .......................... (peaceful) in their room. (Complete the sentence using an appropriate adverb form of the word in bracket.)
Correct! Converting 'peaceful' (adjective) to 'peacefully' (adverb) modifies the past verb 'slept'.
Correct: peacefully. Converting 'peaceful' (adjective) to 'peacefully' (adverb) modifies the past verb 'slept'.
5
She sang the song very .......................... (good). (Use the correct form of the word in bracket to complete the sentence.)
Correct! 'Sings/sang' is an action verb. The adverb form of the adjective 'good' is 'well'.
Correct: well. 'Sings/sang' is an action verb. The adverb form of the adjective 'good' is 'well'.
6
The old man walked .......................... (slow) down the street. (Complete the sentence with an appropriate adverb form of the word in bracket.)
Correct! The action 'walked' requires the adverb 'slowly' to explain the manner.
Correct: slowly. The action 'walked' requires the adverb 'slowly' to explain the manner.
7
The water of the river was extremely cold. (Identify the adjective in this sentence.)
Correct! 'Cold' describes the noun 'water'. 'Extremely' is an adverb of degree modifying 'cold'.
Correct: cold. 'Cold' describes the noun 'water'. 'Extremely' is an adverb of degree modifying 'cold'.
8
We have only a .......................... (few/little) milk left in the bottle. (Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.)
Correct! 'Milk' is an uncountable noun. We pair it with 'little' rather than countable 'few'.
Correct: little. 'Milk' is an uncountable noun. We pair it with 'little' rather than countable 'few'.
9
There are .......................... (many/much) students absent today. (Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.)
Correct! 'Students' is a plural countable noun, requiring 'many' to describe the quantity.
Correct: many. 'Students' is a plural countable noun, requiring 'many' to describe the quantity.
10
He drove .......................... (careful) through the heavy traffic. (Complete the sentence with an appropriate adverb form of the word in bracket.)
Correct! Modifying the action verb 'drove' requires the adverb 'carefully'.
Correct: carefully. Modifying the action verb 'drove' requires the adverb 'carefully'.
Medium Level Practice
Medium Level
1
The assignment looked easy. (Identify the adjective in this sentence.)
Correct! Because 'looked' functions as a sensory linking verb here, it must be followed by an adjective ('easy') rather than an adverb.
Correct: easy. Because 'looked' functions as a sensory linking verb here, it must be followed by an adjective ('easy') rather than an adverb.
2
I can .......................... (hard/hardly) hear your voice. Please speak up. (Choose the correct word from the bracket.)
Correct! The context implies 'almost not', which matches 'hardly'. 'Hard' means with intense physical or mental effort.
Correct: hardly. The context implies 'almost not', which matches 'hardly'. 'Hard' means with intense physical or mental effort.
3
The cold breeze blew .......................... on her face. (Complete the sentence with an appropriate adverb.)
Correct! 'Gently' or 'softly' are appropriate adverbs of manner describing how the breeze blew.
Correct: gently or softly or smoothly. 'Gently' or 'softly' are appropriate adverbs of manner describing how the breeze blew.
4
This car is old fashioned. I want to buy a much .......................... (new) one. (Complete the sentence using the correct comparative form of the adjective in bracket.)
Correct! Comparing the two cars requires the comparative degree of 'new', which is 'newer'.
Correct: newer. Comparing the two cars requires the comparative degree of 'new', which is 'newer'.
5
Health care in Nepal is not as .......................... (expensive) as it is abroad. (Complete the sentence using the correct form of the adjective in bracket.)
Correct! Between standard positive comparison 'as... as', the base positive form of the adjective is retained.
Correct: expensive. Between standard positive comparison 'as... as', the base positive form of the adjective is retained.
6
He worked .......................... (hard/hardly) to secure the top rank in board. (Choose the correct adverb from the bracket.)
Correct! Working with serious effort is represented by 'hard'. 'Hardly' would imply he did almost no work.
Correct: hard. Working with serious effort is represented by 'hard'. 'Hardly' would imply he did almost no work.
7
He is not old .......................... to apply for a driving license. (Complete the sentence with a suitable word.)
Correct! The modifier structure for sufficiency requires 'Adjective + enough' (old enough).
Correct: enough. The modifier structure for sufficiency requires 'Adjective + enough' (old enough).
8
There is .......................... (few/little) hope of his recovery as he is critically ill. (Choose the correct word from the bracket.)
Correct! 'Hope' is uncountable, requiring 'little'. The critical state implies a negative context (almost no hope).
Correct: little. 'Hope' is uncountable, requiring 'little'. The critical state implies a negative context (almost no hope).
9
We have very .......................... (few/little) books in our school library. (Choose the correct word from the bracket.)
Correct! 'Books' is plural countable, so it must be paired with 'few'.
Correct: few. 'Books' is plural countable, so it must be paired with 'few'.
10
The task was solved .......................... (easy) by the smart student. (Complete the sentence with an appropriate adverb form of the word in bracket.)
Correct! Modifying the action verb 'solved' requires the adverb form 'easily'.
Correct: easily. Modifying the action verb 'solved' requires the adverb form 'easily'.
Hard Level Practice
Hard Level
1
She bought a .......................... (red / small / plastic) box. (Put the adjectives in the correct order.)
Correct! The standard board adjective ordering sequence is: Size (small) -> Color (red) -> Material (plastic).
Correct: small red plastic. The standard board adjective ordering sequence is: Size (small) -> Color (red) -> Material (plastic).
2
The hot soup tastes .......................... (delicious / deliciously). (Choose the correct word from the bracket.)
Correct! As a sensory linking verb, 'tastes' requires the adjective 'delicious' to complete the statement.
Correct: delicious. As a sensory linking verb, 'tastes' requires the adjective 'delicious' to complete the statement.
3
The problem is .......................... (far/complicated) than it seems. (Complete the sentence using the correct comparative structure of the words in the bracket.)
Correct! The structure is 'far + comparative adjective'. Since 'complicated' is a long adjective, its comparative is 'more complicated'.
Correct: far more complicated. The structure is 'far + comparative adjective'. Since 'complicated' is a long adjective, its comparative is 'more complicated'.
4
She looked .......................... (beautiful / beautifully) in her traditional dress. (Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.)
Correct! Here, 'looked' functions as a linking verb expressing state, requiring the adjective 'beautiful'.
Correct: beautiful. Here, 'looked' functions as a linking verb expressing state, requiring the adjective 'beautiful'.
5
The student arrived .......................... (late / lately) and missed the attendance register. (Choose the correct word from the bracket to indicate time.)
Correct! 'Late' is the adverb indicating past expected time. 'Lately' means recently.
Correct: late. 'Late' is the adverb indicating past expected time. 'Lately' means recently.
6
I haven't seen my childhood friend .......................... (late / lately). (Choose the correct word from the bracket.)
Correct! 'Lately' functions as an adverb meaning 'recently'—ideal for present perfect negative statements.
Correct: lately. 'Lately' functions as an adverb meaning 'recently'—ideal for present perfect negative statements.
7
The truck nearly crashed into the tree. (Identify the adverb in this sentence.)
Correct! 'Nearly' is an adverb of degree describing 'almost', which modifies the verb 'crashed'.
Correct: nearly. 'Nearly' is an adverb of degree describing 'almost', which modifies the verb 'crashed'.
8
He is the .......................... (good) student of our class. (Complete the sentence with the superlative form of the adjective in the bracket.)
Correct! The definite article 'the' preceding the descriptor indicates the superlative form of the irregular adjective 'good', which is 'best'.
Correct: best. The definite article 'the' preceding the descriptor indicates the superlative form of the irregular adjective 'good', which is 'best'.
9
He drives .......................... (carefully) than his friend. (Complete the sentence with the correct comparative form of the adverb in the bracket.)
Correct! Comparing how two actions are done (driving) requires the comparative adverb: 'more carefully'.
Correct: more carefully. Comparing how two actions are done (driving) requires the comparative adverb: 'more carefully'.
10
She was very sick, but she is feeling .......................... (good / well) now. (Choose the correct word from the bracket to describe health.)
Correct! When expressing recovery or state of physical health, 'well' is the standard adjective.
Correct: well. When expressing recovery or state of physical health, 'well' is the standard adjective.