ADVERBS IN ENGLISH
Verbs tell of something being done;
To read, count, sing, laugh, jump or run.
How things are done the ADVERBS tell;
As slowly, quickly, ill or well.
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I.
DEFINING ADVERBS
Adverbs are words that modify:
-
a verb (e.g. He drove slowly.)
-
an adjective (e.g. He drove a very fast car.)
-
another adverb (e.g. She moved quite slowly down the aisle.)
Categories
Manner
Examples
Carefully, correctly, eagerly, easily, fast,
well, quickly etc…
Frequency
Always, ever, frequently, generally, never,
rarely, seldom, etc…
Time
Again, early, late, sometime, then, today
etc…
Place
Here, ahead, back, forward, high, near,
there, etc…
Relative time
Already, recently, soon, etc…
Degree
Extremely, rather, very, etc…
Quantity
A lot, a little, etc…
Focusing
Even, also, only, particularly, etc…
Attitude Markers
Apparently, fortunately, etc…
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II.
FORM
A. Adverbs ending in –ly
Examples:
She has a quick pace. (adjective)
vs.
The teacher is an honest person. (adjective) vs.
She walks quickly. (adverb)
The teacher spoke honestly. (adverb)
Examples:
He has a friendly smile.
The victims of Casa Pia are growing impatient at the leisurely pace of the case.
Bush was always the likely candidate.
B. Other Adverbs
1. No particular form
Examples:
I often visit the university library.
The train travels very quickly.
2. fast, hard, next, freelance.
Examples:
He has a fast car.
vs.
He drove fast.
They were hard times.
vs.
She is very hard working.
3. The Adverb: WELL
Examples:
She is a good student.
She did well on her test.
NOT
Very good!
*Very well! but you can say: Very well done!
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NEVER
*She did good on her test.
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III.
ORDER OF ADVERBS
VERB
MANNER
Beth
PLACE
enthusiastically in the pool
FREQUENCY
every morning
impatiently
Ted naps
into town
in his room
PURPOSE
before
to keep in
dawn
shape.
every
before
to
afternoon
supper
newspaper.
every morning
before
swims
Dad walks
TIME
get
a
lunch.
Example:
Dad takes a brisk walk before breakfast every day of his life.
Rule of thumb:
We do not put adverbs between verbs and their direct objects or between verbs and
non-finite or that-clauses (Grammar for English Language Teachers, p32).
Examples:
*He did quickly his homework.
*He volunteered politely to help.
IV.
TYPES OF ADVERBS
A. Adverbs of Manner
1. Meaning
Example:
She sings the song beautifully. (How does she sing the song?)
2. Sentence Position
a. End position
Examples:
We waited patiently for the play to begin.
I sold the strawberries quickly.
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b. Beginning of a clause
Examples:
Patiently, we waited for the show to begin.
Quickly, I sold the strawberries.
c. Middle position of a clause
Examples:
I slowly opened the door.
I have carefully considered all of the possibilities.
d. Before past participles
Example: The news was not carefully reported.
B. Adverbs of Frequency
1. Meaning
Example: I clean my room daily. (How often do you clean your room?)
2. Sentence Position
a. Beginning position
Example:
Often the wind blows less strongly at night.
b. End position
Examples:
He speaks seldom.
I visit her frequently.
c. Middle position
1) They follow the Simple Present and Simple Past of the verb to be.
Example: We are always on time.
2) They precede the Simple Present and Simple Past of verbs other than
the verb to be.
Example: He rarely makes a mistake.
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3)
They follow the first auxiliary, in tenses which have auxiliaries.
Example: I have often wondered about that
4) They precede the first auxiliary, or the Simple Present or Simple Past
of the verb to be, in short answers.
Example: Have you seen this movie before? No, I never have.
d. Negative statements & questions in Middle Position
Example of Negative Statement:
They do not often miss the bus.
Question with Not: Does he not usually know the answers?
NOTE: The adverbs: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and annually usually do
not occupy the middle position of a clause.
C. Adverbs of Time
1. Meaning
Example: I was at a party yesterday. (When were you at the party?)
2. Sentence Position
a. Beginning or end position
Examples:
Today I will go to the library.
I will go to the post office tomorrow.
b. The adverbs now, then and once
Examples:
Now it is time to leave.
It is now time to leave.
It is time to leave now.
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D.
Adverbs of Place
1. Meaning
Example: He threw the towel downstairs. (Where did he throw the towel?)
2. Sentence Position
Examples:
I am going there tomorrow.
He left his bicycle in the driveway last night.
I know the office where she works.
E.
Adverbs of Degree
1. Meaning
Intensifiers
Examples:
I am very happy.
Must you leave so soon?
Downtoners
Example:
She spoke Spanish fairly well.
2. Sentence Position
a. Beginning position
Examples:
He had a very young wife. (adjective)
They finished the exam rather quickly. (adverb)
b. Modal verbs
Examples:
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Before:
You really should go to the doctor.
After:
You should really go to the doctor.
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c. Auxiliary verbs
Example:
F.
I have really enjoyed teaching English.
Adverbs of Quantity
1. Meaning
Examples:
She cried a lot.
She doesn’t eat much.
2. Sentence Position
G.
Focusing Adverbs
1. Meaning
We use focusing adverbs:
-
to single out information (e.g. especially, even, particularly)
-
to express some kind of restriction (e.g. just, merely, only)
-
to refer back to something (e.g. also, either, too)
2. Sentence Position
Example:
They had just made enough money to go on the trip.
H. Attitude Markers
Apparently, clearly, hopefully, fortunately, frankly, naturally, obviously, really,
stupidly, surprisingly, unfortunately.
1. Meaning
Examples:
Fortunately the police arrived when they did.
She obviously wanted more time to finish the job.
2. Sentence Position
Examples:
Naturally we are going to do our best.
She obviously lied to her husband about the affair.
They were very surprised, apparently.
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