English · Writing and tracing worksheet
Adverbs Worksheet: How, When and Where (Free KS2 Printable)
This free printable worksheet introduces adverbs to children in Years 3 and 4 as words that tell us how, when or where something happens. The lively running-race picture gives children a real action to describe, so they can practise choosing precise adverbs rather than reciting them in isolation.
It also clears up a common misunderstanding: many adverbs end in the suffix -ly (such as quickly or loudly), but plenty do not (such as soon, here and fast). The whole worksheet prints to a single A4 page, ready for home or the classroom.
Adverbs: How, When and Where
Free English worksheet · Ages 7 to 9
Describe the race with adverbs
Look at the running race in the picture. Write an adverb to answer each question. The word bank can help, but you can use your own adverbs too. Remember: an adverb can tell us how, when or where something happens, and many (but not all) end in -ly.
HOW does the runner move along the track?
HOW does the friend cheer at the side?
WHEN will the runner cross the finish line?
WHERE is the race taking place?
Underline the adverb in this sentence: The runner crossed the line quickly.
Write one adverb that does NOT end in -ly.
Trace these adverbs
Trace each adverb carefully, then say whether it tells us how, when or where. Notice that 'soon' and 'fast' are adverbs even though they do not end in -ly.
Adverbs: How, When and Whereowee.worldAnswer key
- HOW does the runner move along the track? — Example: quickly (also accept fast, swiftly, speedily)
- HOW does the friend cheer at the side? — Example: loudly (also accept happily, cheerfully)
- WHEN will the runner cross the finish line? — Example: soon (also accept now, today)
- WHERE is the race taking place? — Example: outside (also accept here, nearby)
- Underline the adverb in this sentence: The runner crossed the line quickly. — quickly
- Write one adverb that does NOT end in -ly. — Example: soon, now, here, outside, fast or often
What is an adverb? How, when and where
An adverb is a word that adds information to a verb, telling us more about an action. The simplest way to introduce adverbs at KS2 is to ask three questions about any action: How did it happen? (quickly, carefully, loudly), When did it happen? (yesterday, soon, now), and Where did it happen? (here, outside, upstairs). Using the running-race picture, children can answer all three: the runner sprints quickly (how), the race starts soon (when), and the friend cheers nearby (where). Linking adverbs to a clear visual action helps children grasp the purpose of the word class rather than memorising a list.
The -ly suffix: a helpful clue, not a rule
Year 3 and 4 children often learn that adverbs end in -ly, and many do: slowly, happily, suddenly, bravely. This is a useful clue, especially for the 'how' adverbs known as adverbs of manner. However, the National Curriculum is explicit that adverbs do not always end with -ly. Words such as soon, often, here, there, outside, now, today and fast are all adverbs without the suffix. It is worth pointing out that some -ly words are actually adjectives (friendly, lovely, lonely), so the suffix alone never proves a word is an adverb. Encourage children to test a word by asking whether it tells us how, when or where the action happens.
How to use this worksheet at home or school
Begin by looking at the picture together and naming the action: the child is running, sprinting or racing. Ask your child the three adverb questions aloud before they write anything, so they hear the words in context. The first activity asks them to write adverbs that describe how, when and where the race happens; the word bank offers support without giving every answer away. The tracing activity then builds handwriting fluency and spelling memory for a small set of common adverbs, including two that do not end in -ly so the 'rule' is gently challenged. For an extension, ask your child to use one adverb from the sheet in a full sentence of their own.
Why precise adverbs matter for writing
Choosing the right adverb is one of the first ways children learn to make their writing more vivid and exact. 'The runner moved' becomes far clearer as 'The runner moved swiftly' or 'The runner stumbled clumsily'. Adverbs also help children sequence and locate events, which supports both narrative and recount writing across the wider curriculum. By practising adverbs alongside a concrete picture, children begin to see them as tools for sharper description rather than grammar to be tested, which makes the learning far more likely to transfer into their independent writing.
Frequently asked questions
What is an adverb for KS2 children?
For KS2, an adverb is most simply explained as a word that tells us more about an action, usually answering how, when or where it happens. For example, in 'She ran quickly', the adverb 'quickly' tells us how she ran. This how/when/where approach matches the Years 3 and 4 expectations and is easier for children to apply than a formal definition.
Do all adverbs end in -ly?
No. Many adverbs end in -ly, such as 'slowly' or 'carefully', and the suffix is a helpful clue. However, the National Curriculum is clear that adverbs do not always end in -ly. Common examples without the suffix include 'soon', 'now', 'here', 'outside', 'often' and 'fast'. Some -ly words, like 'friendly', are actually adjectives, so the ending alone never confirms an adverb.
What age or year group is this adverbs worksheet for?
This worksheet is aimed at children aged 7 to 9, which is Years 3 and 4 (KS2). It links directly to the Year 3 and 4 grammar objective on adverbs in English Appendix 2. Confident Year 2 children or those revising in Year 5 may also find it useful.
What are some examples of adverbs that tell us how, when and where?
How adverbs (manner) include quickly, slowly, loudly, carefully and bravely. When adverbs (time) include soon, now, today, yesterday and later. Where adverbs (place) include here, there, outside, upstairs and nearby. The worksheet picture lets children practise picking the right type for the action shown.
Is this adverbs worksheet free to print?
Yes. The worksheet is completely free to download and print, and it is designed to fit on a single A4 page so it is easy to use at home or in class. There is no sign-up required to print it.
Curriculum links
- English Appendix 2 (Years 3 to 4): use of adverbs to express time, place and cause, with the understanding that adverbs can but do not always end with the suffix -ly.
- English Years 3 to 4 grammar and punctuation: extending the range of sentences with more than one clause and using adverbs to add detail to verbs.
- English Years 3 to 4 terminology for pupils: adverb, preposition, conjunction.
- English writing - composition (Years 3 to 4): assessing the effectiveness of their own and others' writing and proposing changes to grammar and vocabulary to improve consistency, including word choices such as adverbs.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
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