Adverbs
An adverb is a word
that modifies verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions.
While adjectives tell you more about a noun or
pronoun, adverbs do the same for verbs. Adverbs tell you, among other things,
how (manner), when (time) or where (place) an action took place.
E.g.
•
She sang beautifully.
(manner)
•
She came early
for the interview. (time)
•
I stayed here
when I visited Hanoi. (place)
Some adverbs also
moderate or intensify adjectives or adverbs.
E.g.
•
That was an extremely entertaining performance.
•
I wouldn’t recommend it. It was a very bad show.
•
I went to the market rather early on Saturday.
•
She danced remarkably
well.
Possible Positions of Adverbs in a
Sentence
At the beginning of a sentence (usually to
emphasise a point).
•
Finally, we found our way
back to the camp.
In the middle of a sentence.
•
The philanthropist rarely reveals his identity when he makes his donations.
At the end of a sentence, after a verb.
•
She screamed loudly.
Adverbs may be categorised into the following
classes:
|
Manner |
: |
gracefully,
sadly, slowly, well |
|
Time |
: |
before, now,
since, eventually |
|
Place |
: |
here, there, everywhere, nowhere |
|
Degree |
: |
almost, quite,
very, rather |
|
Number |
: |
once, twice |
|
Interrogative : |
where, when, how |
|
Adverbs of manner tell you the way an action is
performed. They answer the question how?
Usually, the adverb follows the verb.
E.g.
•
The students cheered enthusiastically when they were told that they were getting a
holiday.
Sometimes, the
adverb is placed before the verb to emphasise the manner of the action.
E.g.
•
He deliberately
tripped the rude boy.
•
She suddenly
appeared out of nowhere.
Although many adverbs of manner end in -ly, not all do.
E.g.
•
She’s trying hard to impress the judges.
Adverbs of time answer the questions when? how long?
and how
often?
E.g.
•
Lunch will be ready soon.
•
Jenny visited us twice last year but we haven’t
seen her since.
•
Harold rarely
visits his grandparents.
At the beginning of the sentence, usually for
emphasis.
E.g.
•
Frankly, the job is not
worth doing for the money alone.
After the verb or at the end of a sentence.
E.g.
•
The school looked very different then.
Before the verb.
E.g.
•
The neighbours now realise what had happened.
Adverbs of degree
answer the question how much? or to what
extent? They increase or reduce the force of the word they describe.
They are usually
used with adjectives and are placed before the adjective that they describe.
E.g.
•
The students put up a totally entertaining performance.
They are used with
other adverbs and are placed before the adverb they describe.
E.g.
•
The young man walked incredibly slowly.
When used with verbs, they come before the
verb.
E.g.
•
The audience absolutely hated the show.
Adverbs are used to indicate comparison in the same way as adjectives. They generally form the comparative or superlative by adding more and most to the positive adverb.
|
Positive |
Comparative |
Superlative |
|
|
|
|
|
early |
earlier |
earliest |
|
|
|
|
|
long |
longer |
longest |
|
|
|
|
|
bravely |
more bravely |
most bravely |
|
|
|
|
|
carefully |
more carefully |
most carefully |
|
|
|
|
|
greedily |
more greedily |
most greedily |
|
|
|
|
Exceptions:
|
Positive |
Comparative |
Superlative |
|
|
|
|
|
badly |
worse |
worst |
|
|
|
|
|
well |
better |
best |
|
|
|
|
Confusion between Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives describe
nouns and pronouns. Using adjectives to modify verbs, adverbs or other
adjectives is not Standard English.
E.g.
•
He behaves strange. (not Standard English)
•
He behaves strangely. (Standard English)
•
After a few lessons Tom sang real well. (not Standard English)
•
After a few lessons Tom sang really well. (Standard English)
