ADVERBS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

A Short Class to Use Adverbs Effectively

Introduction

According to the Oxford Dictionary, an adverb is:

“a word or phrase that modifies the meaning of an adjective, verb, or other adverb, expressing manner, place, time, or degree”

The word comes from the Latin word adverbium, from ad- 'to' (expressing addition) + verbum 'word, verb‘

In this course, we will learn about adverbs, the forms they may take and the types and positions of adverbs that can be found in a sentence.

What are Adverbs?

Adverbs are words that allow us to answer questions such as Where? When? How? And Why?

Adverbs can be single words that function by themselves, or they can be joined together with adjectives or other adverbs to form “adverbial clauses” and “adverb phrases”.

How many types of Adverbs do we have in English?

The exact amount varies depending on who you ask, but some commonly accepted types of adverbs are:

• Adverbs of Time• Adverbs of Place• Adverbs of Reason or Purpose• Adverbs of Manner• Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of Time answer the question “When?” They’re usually found at the beginning or at the end of a clause.

Examples:

• Yesterday I went to the bookstore.• We will have to move the couch later.• After I finish this lesson I will take a shower.

Adverbs of Time

Commonly used adverbs of time include days of the week, months, dates and times of the day.

Phrases that denote a time in particular, in the past (“in the old times”) or the future (“when this project is completed”) are also adverbs of time.

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of Place answer the question Where? In a sentence or clause, they’re usually located at the end, before the adverbs of reason, manner or time.

Examples:

• I am going there tomorrow.• He left his bicycle in the driveway last night• I know the office where she works.

Adverbs of place are commonly fulfilled by words such as “here”, “there”, prepositions, and phrases.Commonly used words that function as adverbs of place include:

• Above• Away• Back• Down

• Elsewhere• Far• In

• Inside• Near• Off

• Towards• Under• Upstairs• Where

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner are the largest group of adverbs and answer the question How?

Most adverbs of manner are closely related to corresponding adjectives.

Although some words can be used as either adjectives or adverbs, in most cases, adverbs of manner are formed by adding “-ly” to the corresponding adjectives. 

It should be noted that while most adverbs which end in -ly are adverbs of manner, other types of adverb may also end in –ly, such as “monthly”. Furthermore, not all words have the same meaning after being converted into adverbs by adding –ly (e.g. hard – hardly)

Adverbs of Manner also have other exceptions. Some adverbs take the same form as their adjective counterpart. Others have no known adjective form. Still, adverbs of manner are immediately noticeable by adding gradability to the verb or adjective that they modify.

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of Reason or Purpose

Adverbs, adverb phrases and clauses of purpose or reason answer the question Why? This question is usually answered by a phrase or clause, rather than by a single-word adverb. Adverb phrases and clauses of purpose usually occupy the end of a clause, and follow any other adverbs, or adverb phrases or clauses.

Examples:I went to the store yesterday to buy a coat. I need to buy a new coat soon because my old one is worn out.

Adverbs of Reason or Purpose

In the first example, the adverb phrase of purpose to buy a coat occupies the end position of a clause, following the adverb of time yesterday. In the second example, the adverb clause of purpose because my old one is worn out occupies the end position of a clause, following the adverb of time soon.