|
Adverbs
Lesson goal: to learn about adverbs |
Adverbs modify or describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Adverbs answer the questions when, where, how, and why.
The class of adverbs is the most confusing one as it includes a lot of words that don’t fit in any other category. By their functions in a sentence, adverbs can be categorized as: adverbs of time, place, manner, degree, stance adverbs, linking adverbs, and prepositional adverbs (particles).
1. Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time tell us when the action of the verb happened and answer the following questions:
“When?” - today, yesterday, now, later, immediately, etc.
“How often?” – sometimes, frequently, often, never, seldom, ever, yet, still, etc.
“How long?” – never, just, long, always, still, etc.
2. Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place tell us where the action of the verb happened and answer the questions, “Where?”
“Where?” – here, there, everywhere, above, below, etc.
3. Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner tell us how the action of the verb happened and answer the questions, “How?”
“How?” – quickly, fast, beautifully, etc.
4. Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree usually modify adjectives and answer the question, “To what extent?”
“Where?” – very, quite, too, so, slightly, etc.
5. Stance Adverbs
Stance adverbs usually don’t modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives but rather show us the speaker’s standpoint or attitude.
Some examples – apparently, clearly, frankly, perhaps, technically, unfortunately, etc.
6. Linking Adverbs
Linking adverbs (often called transitions) link sentences. Unlike conjunctions, they can often be omitted without making the sentence ungrammatical.
Some examples – also, moreover, hence, however, nevertheless, therefore, etc.
Words that normally act as coordinating conjunctions – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so - to join words, phrases, or clauses, act as linking adverbs when they appear in the beginning of a sentence because in this case they do not join any parallel structures
7. Prepositional Adverbs (Particles)
Prepositional adverbs (often called particles) have the word form of a preposition, but unlike prepositions that modify nouns, they modify verbs.
Some examples – to, in, into, up, down, by, through, etc.
When a prepositional adverb “to” precedes a verb, it forms an infinitive phrase.
Prepositional adverbs that follow verbs often form phrasal verbs and make verbs change their meanings. A verb with a prepositional adverb forms a phrasal verb only when the meaning of the verb is changed.
The class of adverbs is the most confusing one as it includes a lot of words that don’t fit in any other category. By their functions in a sentence, adverbs can be categorized as: adverbs of time, place, manner, degree, stance adverbs, linking adverbs, and prepositional adverbs (particles).
1. Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time tell us when the action of the verb happened and answer the following questions:
“When?” - today, yesterday, now, later, immediately, etc.
“How often?” – sometimes, frequently, often, never, seldom, ever, yet, still, etc.
“How long?” – never, just, long, always, still, etc.
- For example: I often forget his words. Can you remember that or did I just tell it to you?
2. Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place tell us where the action of the verb happened and answer the questions, “Where?”
“Where?” – here, there, everywhere, above, below, etc.
- For example: I can’t find her here, there, or anywhere. Was she there as well?
3. Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner tell us how the action of the verb happened and answer the questions, “How?”
“How?” – quickly, fast, beautifully, etc.
- For example: She clapped happily. All kids ran fast, jumped high, and sang well.
4. Adverbs of Degree
Adverbs of degree usually modify adjectives and answer the question, “To what extent?”
“Where?” – very, quite, too, so, slightly, etc.
- For example: She was quite polite but very indifferent. It was too dangerous.
5. Stance Adverbs
Stance adverbs usually don’t modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives but rather show us the speaker’s standpoint or attitude.
Some examples – apparently, clearly, frankly, perhaps, technically, unfortunately, etc.
- For example: Obviously, he didn’t know what he was talking about. Unfortunately, no.
6. Linking Adverbs
Linking adverbs (often called transitions) link sentences. Unlike conjunctions, they can often be omitted without making the sentence ungrammatical.
Some examples – also, moreover, hence, however, nevertheless, therefore, etc.
- For example: She likes traveling. However, her husband prefers to stay home.
Words that normally act as coordinating conjunctions – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so - to join words, phrases, or clauses, act as linking adverbs when they appear in the beginning of a sentence because in this case they do not join any parallel structures
- For example: He is very opinionated. And he can be very rude sometimes.
7. Prepositional Adverbs (Particles)
Prepositional adverbs (often called particles) have the word form of a preposition, but unlike prepositions that modify nouns, they modify verbs.
Some examples – to, in, into, up, down, by, through, etc.
When a prepositional adverb “to” precedes a verb, it forms an infinitive phrase.
- For example: Before we decided to leave the place, we went up and found her inside.
Prepositional adverbs that follow verbs often form phrasal verbs and make verbs change their meanings. A verb with a prepositional adverb forms a phrasal verb only when the meaning of the verb is changed.
- For example: She looked after her younger brother. I gave up smoking long ago.
|
|
