What an adverb is and what it does
The word adverb(ad-verb) suggests the idea of adding to the meaning of a verb. This is what many adverbs do. They can tell us something about the action in a sentence by modifyinga verb, i.e. by telling us how, when, where, etc. something happens or is done: Paganini played the violin beautifully(How did he play?)
However, adverbs can also modify:
- adjectives: very good, awfullyhungry
- other adverbs: very soon awfullyquickly
- prepositional phrases: You're entirelyin the wrong
- complete sentences: Strangely enough I won first prize
- nouns: The man over thereis a doctor Adverbs can be single words (slowly) or phrases {in the garden) and the term adverbialis often used to describe both types.
Adverbs are not always essential to the structure of a sentence, but
they often affect the meaning. Compare:
Dons has left Dons has justleft
I have finished work I have nearlyfinished work
Sometimes adverbs are essential to complete a sentence:
1 after some intransitive verbs such as lie, live, sit, etc.: Lie down[> 8.29] Sit over thereI live in Rome
2 after some transitive verbs (e.g. lay place put) + object: He put his car in the garage
For the general position of adverbs in a sentence [> 1.3].
Kinds of adverbs
Many adverbs can be thought of as answering questions, such as How? [manner,> 7.7]; Where? [place,> 7.17]; When? [time,> 7.20]; How often? [frequency,> 7.37]; To what extent? [degree,> 7.41], Others 'strengthen' adjectives, other adverbs or verbs [intensifiers,> 7.50]; focus attention [focus,> 7.54]; reveal our attitudes, or help us to present information in a coherent fashion [viewpoint adverbs and connectives,> 7.57-58],
How to identify an adverb
7.3.1 One-word adverbs ending in '-ly'
A great many adverbs, particularly those of manner, are formed from adjectives by the addition of-/y: e.g.patient patiently. Some adverbs of frequency are also formed in this way: e.g. usual usually, as are a
The comparison of adverbs
few adverbs of degree: e.g. near, nearly. Many viewpoint adverbs end in -ly: e.g. fortunately.
7.3.2 One-word adverbs not ending in '-ly'
Many adverbs cannot be identified by their endings. These include adverbs of manner which have the same form as adjectives, e.g fast [> App 14]; adverbs of place {there); of time {then); of frequency {often); viewpoint adverbs {perhaps) and connectives (however).