The main function of an adverb is to give more information about a verb. An adverb is said to modify a
verb because it limits the word it describes in some way. Thus, modifying the verb walk
with the adverb quickly means that we
know that we are concentrating on walking quickly and that we can forget about
walking in any other way. Adverbs
can also modify other adverbs, as in extremely
suddenly, adjectives, as in gravely
ill, prepositions, as in just after
dinner and conjunctions as in exactly
what he said.
An adverb is usually a single word. When a
group of words performs the same function as an adverb it is known as an adverbial phrase or adverbial.
There are
various types of adverb—adverbs of time, frequency, duration, place, manner and degree, as well as
interrogative adverbs.
Adverbs of time indicate when something has happened. They include words such as then, now, afterwards, before, later. In the following sentences
the underlined words are adverbs of time:
I’ll see you soon.
They haven’t seen him lately.
It was her birthday today.
I wasn’t married then. We’d never met before. Afterwards we had afternoon tea.
Adverbs of frequency indicate how frequently something happens. They include words such as often, always , never, and seldom.
In the following sentences the underlined words
are adverbs of frequency: It
always snowed at
Christmas there.
We rarely meet these
days.
He never drinks
alcohol.
She is forever
criticizing him.
We play tennis together regularly.
The patient is being
monitored constantly.
We usually have dinner
at 8 p.m.
Adverbs of
duration indicate
how long something lasts or occurs. They include words such as always,
briefly, permanently, indefinitely.
In the following sentences the underlined words
are adverbs of duration:
She is living with her
grandmother temporarily.
He has been suspended from
his job indefinitely.
I haven’t known her long.
We will stay here overnight.
She’s always lived
here.
They stopped briefly
to fill the car with petrol.
Adverbs of place are used to indicate where something happens or
takes place.
They include such words as here,
there, near, downstairs and indoors.
In the following sentences the underlined words
are adverbs of place: He has
gone overseas.
They live nearby.
She went inside.
He walked alongside.
They are travelling northward.
We waded ashore.
The child doesn’t live here.
He held the banner aloft.
We met midway.
Adverbs of manner indicate how something happens or the circumstances in which something happens. They are
frequently formed by adding -ly to an
adjective and they include carefully,
easily, hurriedly, plainly, quickly, safely, suddenly, willingly. A few of them end in -wise, -ways or -wards.
In the following
sentences the underlined words are adverbs
of manner: She was neatly dressed.
He smiled vaguely.
They spoke eloquently.
I behaved foolishly.
He lives dangerously.
We waited patiently.
You are needed urgently.
She laughed excitedly.
They filmed him secretly.
I met him accidentally.
She acted independently.
He moved sideways.
Adverbs of degree are used to indicate the degree to which an action is performed. Many of them are formed by
adding -ly to an adjective and they
include fairly, moderately, remarkably,
very and partly.
In the following
sentences the underlined words are adverbs
of degree: I enjoyed the film immensely.
I was tremendously
pleased by the unexpected gift.
She was hugely
impressed by the efforts of the children.
She was unbelievably
beautiful.
They were only moderately
enthusiastic about the project.
She was slightly hurt
by the remark.
They were partly
responsible for the error.
Her father was a supremely
successful businessman.
They largely ignored
us.
The village was virtually
destroyed by the storms.
The child almost
drowned.
I was enormously
encouraged by their praise.
He was working very
hard.
A small group of adverbs of degree are known as adverbs of emphasis. These are formed
from emphatic adjectives and include
absolutely, entirely, really, utterly and positively.
In the following sentences the underlined words
are adverbs of emphasis:
We totally disagree
with you.
I was utterly
devastated by the news.
I quite agree.
She positively adores
him.
He really loathes his
job.
She completely broke
down and wept uncontrollably.
Interrogative adverbs are among the wh-words which are used to ask wh-questions and include when, where, how and why.
In the following sentences the underlined words are interrogative adverbs:
When did you
last see him?
Where was the money hidden?
How are you feeling?
Why was he there?
A preposition is used to show the relationship, such as time or
place, between a noun or pronoun and the rest of a sentence, clause or phrase.
The preposition usually comes before
the noun it refers to or ‘governs’. There are two types of preposition, simple prepositions and complex prepositions.
Simple prepositions are often very short words, such as
at, by, in, of, off, on, to and up, but also include such words as among, before, behind, during and through.
In the following sentences the underlined words
are all simple prepositions:
The cakes are on the
table.
The cat is up the tree.
She sleeps during the
day.
They left before dawn.
We arrived after
dinner.
I will stay there for
three weeks.
He is a young man of
great talent.
She carried a bag with
a black handle.
I will go with them.
He was sacked for
theft.
I paid by cash.
We had to leave without
Mary.
They were against the
scheme.
Complex prepositions
consist of
two or three words. These include ahead of, because of, instead of, on
account of, by means of and on behalf
of.
In the following sentences the underlined words
form complex prepositions:
She attended the conference in
spite of illness.
He had to retire on
account of his age.
They are not rich in terms
of money.
They have a dog in
addition to the three cats.
A conjunction (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is a linking word used to
join words, word groups or clauses. There are two types of conjunction, coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions (see 1, 2, 3, 5) are conjunctions
which join elements which are of equal status. These units may be words, word
groups or main clauses. Coordinating
conjunctions include and, but, or,
yet and, in pairs and often for emphasis, both … and, either … or, neither … nor.
In the following
sentences the underlined words are
coordinating conjunctions which
link words: The women and children left the sinking
ship first.
She’s an artist and a
writer.
He was wearing a hat and
gloves.
He is an intelligent and
enthusiastic young man.
It was a difficult and
embarrassing problem.
The firm was being run
efficiently and economically.
He was tall, dark and
handsome.
She was poor but happy.
It was a small but
comfortable house.
She was elderly but
extremely fit.
They worked slowly but
confidently.
You can serve fruit or
cheese at the end of the meal.
Did you or your
husband witness the crime?
Is that good or bad
news?
The teacher was firm yet
fair.
She was both pretty and
clever.
He is both a coward and
a bully.
They are either stupid
or naïve.
She is either foolish or
deceitful.
They are neither
skilled nor experienced.
We have neither
sufficient money nor sufficient time to undertake this task.
In the following sentences the underlined words are coordinating conjunctions
which link main clauses: He has asked Anne to marry him and
she has accepted.
The students live in Leeds and
they travel here every day.
He was born in England but
lives in Australia.
They can stay here or
they can go home.
Students can either
live in flats or they can live in halls of residence.
Subordinating conjunctions (see 1) are used to link a subordinate clause (see
2)
or dependent clause to the main
clause. Subordinating conjunctions
may
introduce an adverbial clause, a comparative clause, a relative clause, or a noun clause. For all of these clause (see
1).
Subordinating conjunctions
introducing adverbial clauses
These are clauses which have a function in a
sentence similar to that of an adverb or an adverbial phrase. They add information about time, place, concession,
condition, manner, purpose and result.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of time include after, before, since, when,
whenever, while, until, as soon as. In the following sentences the underlined word/words form a conjunction introducing
an adverbial clause of time: As soon
as the babysitter comes we’ll set
off. I smile whenever I see the
child’s happy face.
I’ll wait until your
friend comes.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of place include where, wherever, everywhere.
In the following sentences the underlined word is a conjunction introducing an adverbial clause of place: I forget where I left the package.
Wherever the actor
goes, photographers follow.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of purpose include in order (to), to, so as to, so that. In the
following sentences the underlined word/words form a conjunction introducing an
adverbial clause of purpose: We left the
party early so as to catch the last bus home.
To get there
on time we’d have to leave now.
I saved
money all year so that I could afford to go on holiday to South Africa.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of reason include because, since, as, in case.
In the following sentences the underlined
word/words form a conjunction introducing an adverbial clause of reason: We need
to leave very early in case the traffic is very heavy on the motorway.
Because it’s
raining heavily we’ll have to cancel the picnic.
Since he
committed the crime he should accept the punishment.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of result include so that. The words so and that can be separated, so coming
before an adjective or adverb in the
main clause and that being the first
word in the subordinate clause. In the following sentences the underlined
word/words form a conjunction introducing an adverbial clause of result: He hit his opponent so hard that he knocked him out.
He spoke clearly so that
everyone heard every word.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of condition include unless, if, provided (that), providing, as long as. In the
following sentences the underlined word/words form a conjunction introducing an
adverbial clause of condition: I’ll go
provided you come with me.
As long as you’re
happy I’m happy to do what you ask.
If he stays
I’m leaving.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of manner include as though, as if, as, like. In the following sentences the
underlined word/words form a conjunction introducing an adverbial clause of
manner: He walked as though he were in pain.
She smiled broadly as if
she were very happy.
Subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses of concession include although, though, even though, whereas, while, whilst. In the
following sentences the underlined word/words form a conjunction introducing an
adverbial clause of concession: She still
loves him although he treated her badly.
Even
though I dislike him personally I admire his work.
While Mary is
an excellent cook neither of her sisters can even boil an egg.
1 Write out the sentences which contain an adverb,
underlining the adverbs.
She was very pretty.
He was smartly dressed.
The man is an utter fool.
He utterly adores her.
She enjoyed her time at
university tremendously.
The campaign was a huge
success.
He was once a supremely
successful chef.
It was a regular occurrence.
He acted impulsively and
foolishly.
She was not in a very patient
mood.
We go to the cinema regularly.
They rarely meet.
I usually go to work by train.
We go to France in the summer.
They went to their usual
restaurant in the high street.
She stamped her foot
impatiently.
2 Write down the adverbs of
duration and the adverbs of frequency in the following sentences.
Jack never tells lies.
I worry about him constantly.
The couple plan to leave here
permanently.
Sue is forever talking of
looking for another job.
They stopped over briefly in
Singapore on their way to Australia.
We seldom see our old friends.
The boys often play football
on Saturdays.
She is working as a secretary
temporarily.
Are you going to work in the
States indefinitely?
3 Rewrite the following
sentences inserting in the blanks an adverb formed from the adjective given in bold type in brackets.
I met her
... on the way to the station. (accidental)
He won ... and went on to the
next round. (easy)
You must proceed ... and be
aware of the danger. (careful)
She acted ... without
thinking. (foolish)
He left his job quite ... in
a panic. (sudden)
You have to decide ... if you
want the job. (quick)
4 Write out the following sentences, underlining
the simple prepositions.
I stayed there for six months.
She is a person of considerable
wealth.
She did the shopping during
her lunch hour.
They live in the house with
the green door.
I will pay by cheque.
The money is on the kitchen
table.
The workman is up the ladder.
She studies during the
evening.
I’m leaving after breakfast.
If we leave now we’ll get
there before the bus.
She directed the remark at
him.
She thought he was the man of
her dreams.
5 Write out the sentences which
contain a complex preposition, underlining the complex prepositions.
He was invited, but his
sister went instead.
My colleague was ill and so I
went to the conference instead of her.
He had to take early
retirement on account of his ill health.
He won the race in spite of
his injured back.
I can’t pay for the work in
full, but here is some money on account.
He has promised to speak for
her at the complaints tribunal.
The union leader is going to
talk to management on behalf of all the workers.
You can get there by means of
transport, but it will take a long time.
Let’s go by train.
She resigned because of acute
stress.
She must have gone for her
own reasons.
6 Write out the sentences which contain a
coordinating conjunction, underlining
each of the coordinating conjunctions.
The girls and boys go into
the school by different entrances.
You can have either tea or
coffee.
I’ll wait till they turn up.
We decided not to go because
of the rain.
She was very old but in good
health.
I know when to leave.
Did you or your brother see
your mother before you left for school?
I get angry whenever I catch
sight of him.
He is hard-working and
experienced.
She is either his cousin or
his aunt, I’m not sure which.
He forgot what he said.
If he does that he’ll be
sacked.
Usually they go to France for
the summer but they are going to Italy this year.
He asked her to marry him and
she accepted.
He cycled to work in order to
get fit.
They can rent an apartment or
they can stay in a budget hotel.
7 Underline the subordinating conjunctions in the
following sentences.
We realized that he was quite
ill.
She sang while he played the
piano.
Although he is very talented
he has been unable to find a job.
If you leave now you will get
the last bus.
I’ll tell them the good news
as soon as I see them.
I’ll get there before dinner
provided the traffic is not too heavy.
After dinner he was so tired
that he fell asleep in his chair.
While she is highly
academically qualified, she has very little experience.
Since it’s raining very
heavily the beach picnic will have to be cancelled.
She’s been going to that
seaside resort since she was a child.
We’ll set out as soon as it
stops raining.
Why did she go I wonder?
The students won’t pass the
exams unless they study hard.
He was smartly
dressed.
He utterly
adores her.
She
enjoyed her time at university tremendously.
He was
once a supremely successful chef.
He acted impulsively
and foolishly.
She was
not in a very patient mood.
We go to
the cinema regularly.
They rarely
meet.
I usually
go to work by train.
She
stamped her foot impatiently.
2 adverbs of duration permanently, briefly, temporarily, indefinitely adverbs of frequency never, constantly, forever, seldom,
often 3 I met her accidentally on
the way to the station.
He won easily and went
on to the next round.
You must
proceed carefully and be aware of the danger.
She acted foolishly without
thinking.
He left
his job quite suddenly in a panic.
You have
to decide quickly if you want the job.
4 I stayed
there for six months.
She is a
person of considerable wealth.
She did
the shopping during her lunch hour.
They live
in the house with the green door.
I will pay
by cheque.
The money
is on the kitchen table.
The
workman is up the ladder.
She
studies during the evening.
I’m
leaving after breakfast.
If we
leave now we’ll get there before the bus.
She directed the remark at him.
She
thought he was the man of her dreams.
5 My
colleague was ill and so I went to the conference instead of her.
He had to
take early retirement on account of his ill health.
He won the
race in spite of his injured back.
The union
leader is going to talk to management on behalf of all the workers.
You can
get there by means of public transport, but it will take a long time.
She
resigned because of acute stress.
6 The girls and boys go
into the school by different entrances.
You can
have either tea or coffee.
She was
very old but in good health.
Did you or your brother see your mother before you left for
school? He is hard-working and experienced.
She is either
his cousin or his aunt, I’m not sure which.
Usually
they go to France for the summer but they are going to Italy this year.
He asked
her to marry him and she accepted.
They can
rent an apartment or they can stay in a budget hotel.
7 We
realized that he was
quite ill.
She sang while
he played the piano.
Although he is
very talented he has been unable to find a job.
If you leave
now you will get the last bus.
I’ll tell
them the good news as soon as I see them.
I’ll get
there before dinner provided the traffic is not too heavy.
After
dinner he was so tired that he fell asleep in his chair.
While she is
highly academically qualified, she has very little experience.
Since it’s
raining very heavily, the beach picnic will have to be cancelled.
She’s been
going to that seaside resort since she was a child.
We’ll set out as soon as it stops raining.
Why did she
go I wonder?
The
students won’t pass the exams unless they study hard.
