The word “easy’’ has multipurpose uses in English grammar. Here we will explain whether the word “easy’’ plays the role of an adjective or adverb.
The word “easy’’ is certainly regarded as an adjective or as a noun when we use it in sentences. As an adjective it provides us the meaning “not difficult’’.
Let us go through some interesting facts related to the word “easy’’ as an adjective or adverb along with when and examples in an interesting manner.
When is “easy” an adjective?
Every describing word in English grammar is regarded as an adjective and gives us more information on a noun or a pronoun. Let us check when “easy’’ is an adjective.
The word “easy’’ is definitely considered as an adjective when it is used in a sentence to describe a noun or its equivalent.
Now, we will read the sentences in the following table to learn when the word “easy’’ acts as an adjective.
| Aspects of being an adjective | Example | Explanation |
| 1. The word “easy’’ can be applied as an adjective when we mention any action that is not difficult to do or needs much effort. | It is very easy now to score good marks in English. | In this sentence, the word “easy’’ acts as an adjective and modifies the noun “marks’’. |
| 2. The word “easy’’ can be used as an adjective when we refer to something that is not difficult to know, understand, or believe. | The teacher’s explanations on the matter are simple and easy to understand | In this example, the word “easy’’ plays the role of an adjective and acts as a modifier of the noun “explanations’’. |
| 3. We can apply the word “easy’’ as an adjective when we refer to something that is easy to perform but that may not be the best thing to render. | I am able to take an easy decision on the issue. | In this sentence, the word “easy’’ shows its role as an adjective by describing the noun “issue’’ here. |
| 4. The word “easy’’ can be an adjective when we refer to the time that is acceptable to perform any action. | Luckily Johnny had an easy day in the office to completing all his responsibility. | This is the example where the word “easy’’ plays the function of an adjective and it makes emphasis on the noun. |
Is “easy” a descriptive adjective?
Each type of adjective has different features to serve. A descriptive adjective has the function of describing. Let us check if the word “easy’’ is a descriptive adjective.
The word “easy’’ is definitely regarded as a descriptive adjective as it is used to describe someone or something in prose or in speech. It also adds meaning to the noun that it describes.
Let us see the table below containing the examples where the word “easy” has been applied as an adjective for our acute realization.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. You have done an easy sum. | In this scenario, the word “easy’’ has been applied as a descriptive adjective. It has given us more information about the noun “sum’’ here. |
| 2. Every student prefers easy questions. | This is the example where the word “easy’’ acts as an adjective and describes the noun “questions’’. |
| 3. It is not easy to choose a career. | In this sentence, the word “easy’’ acts as a descriptive adjective and does the function of describing a noun. |
| 4. Wridhiman has bought an easy chair. | Here it is found that the word “easy’’ is used as a describing adjective that describes the noun “chair’’. |
| 5. Do not leave the easy questions in the final test. | This is the example where it is seen that the word “easy’’ is used as a describing adjective that describes the noun “questions’’. |
| 6. The teacher gave an easy test to his students. | In this example, the word “easy’’ is used as an adjective. It describes the noun “test’’ here. |
| 7. The task is too easy to solve. | In this sentence, the word “easy’’ acts as an adjective that plays the role of describing the noun “task’’. |
Is “easy” an adverb?
An adverb is a part of speech that acts as a modifier of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Now let us check if the word “easy’’ is an adverb or not.
We can surely apply the word “easy’’ as an adverb as it has the function in a sentence of a modifier of the verb, adjective, or another adverb. We can also frame the adverb form of “easy” by adding the suffix “ly” with the root word and thus it produces “easily”.
Let us see the usage of “easily” in the sentences below to understand them very well.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. The child lifted the bag easily. | This is the sentence where the word “easily” acts as an adverb that modifies the verb “lifted” and refers to it without difficulty. |
| 2. The subject is easily obtainable on the internet. | In this sentence, the word “easily” does the function of an adverb and modifies the adjective “obtainable” here. |
| 3. The task was very easily accomplished. | In this example, the word “easily” is applied as an adverb and modifies the adverb “very” here. |
Let us go through the examples in the table below where the word “easy’’ acts as an adverb and modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
| Example | Explanation |
| 1. The assignment of the teacher looks easy. | In this example, the word “easy’’ acts as an adverb that modifies the verb “look’’ here. |
| 2. Sabnam cannot rest easy until her father returns home. | This is the example where the word “easy’’ has been applied as an adverb by modifying the preceding verb “rest’’. |
| 3. If you get three questions, you will breathe easy. | Here it is found that the word “easy’’ acts as an adverb and modifies the verb “breathe’’. |
| 4. Everybody will feel easy walking the smooth road. | The example provides the modification of the verb “feel’’ and the word “easy’’ is surely regarded as an adverb. |
| 5. You seem easy in the theatre shooting hall. | Here in this sentence, we see that the word “easy’’ is acting as an adverb and the verb “seem’’ has been modified or emphasized. |
Conclusion
This article deals with the discussion on the right usage of the word “easy’’ as an adjective and as an adverb. We will get ample examples and a detailed explanation of the topic for our exact employment in the sentences.
Hi…. I am Goutam Datta. I have completed a double M. A. in English and B. Ed. I am a creative writer. Currently, I am a part of the LambdaGeeks.
