Adjectives as Adverbs
You already know that adjectives modify nouns and must match them in gender and number. However, certain adjectives can also be used to modify verbs, acting exactly like adverbs.
When an adjective acts as an adverb, it tells us how an action is performed. To do this, you must always use its invariable masculine singular form. It will not change to match the subject, because it is describing the verb, not a noun.
| The tenor breathed deeply before singing the vowel. | El tenor respiró hondo antes de cantar la vocal. |
| The soprano projects strongly to reach the pitch. | La soprano proyecta fuerte para alcanzar el tono. |
Notice in the second sentence how fuerte stays exactly as it is to describe the verb proyecta, even though the subject (la soprano) is feminine.
Here are a few more common adjectives used as adverbs. Notice how they are always in the masculine singular form:
| I doubt that they work hard without the music stand. | Dudo que trabajen duro sin el atril. |
| You must pronounce the consonant clearly; it is a good habit. | Debes pronunciar claro la consonante; es un buen hábito. |
Other common adjectives that function this way include raro (weird/weirdly), rápido (fast), and lento (slow/slowly).
| If you do not intone well, the pitch sounds weird. | Si no entonas bien, el tono suena raro. |
| Read the consonants fast, but sing the vowels slowly. | Leed las consonantes rápido, pero cantad las vocales lento. |
