Adverbs:

Definition :

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It provides additional information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action is performed.

Functions of Adverbs

Adverbs answer specific questions about the action or quality: (we can basically identify the type of the adverbs by asking the following questions:

1. How? (for Manner) → He draws beautifully.
2. When? (for Time) → they arrived yesterday.
3. Where? (for Place) → They live there.
4. Why? (for Reason) → He escaped because he was afraid.
5. To what extent (how often)? (for Degree or Frequency) → I rarely eat outside.

For the types of adverbs, we can sum all up in the following points:

1.       Adverbs of Manner
these adverbs describe how an action is performed.
Ex: quickly, slowly, carefully, artistically…
they danced gracefully.

 

2.       Adverbs of Time
these adverbs indicate when an action occurs (when it takes place).
Examples include: now, yesterday, soon, late, early… etc
 We will meet tomorrow/ later/ soon

 

3.       Adverbs of Place
Indicate where an action occurs.
Examples: here, there, everywhere, outside
Sentence: They searched everywhere.

 

4.       Adverbs of Degree
they describe the intensity or degree of an action or quality taking place.
Examples: very, so, too, quite, almost, completely, extremely
Sentence: He is quite sad.

 

 

5.       Adverbs of Frequency
these adverbs indicate how often an action occurs (takes place).
Examples include: always, never, often, rarely
She always forgets her purse

 

6.       Adverbs of Reason
They exist to explain why an action occurred (took place).
Examplesinclude words like: consequentially therefore, thus, hence, so.. etc (this type of adverbs can be considered part of relative adverbs)
He woke up late, therefore, he missed the meeting.

 

7.       Interrogative Adverbs
They are used to ask questions.
Examples include : how, when, where, why
Sentence: Why are you upset?

 

8.       Relative Adverbs
Connect clauses and provide additional information.
Examples include words like: where, when, why, because , therefore, hence.. etc
That is the street where I grew up.

 

Forming adverbs

1. Most adverbs (especially those of “manner”) are formed by adding "-ly" to Adjectives
   Many adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives.
   Ex:

·         Quick → Quickly

·         Merry → Merrily

2. Irregular Adverbs
   Some adverbs do not follow any standard rules.
   Ex:

·         good → well

·         fast → fast

·         hard → hard

3. Some adverbs have the same form as adjectives
   Some words function as both adjectives and adverbs without changing form.
   Ex:

·         Adjective: She is a fast runner.

·         Adverb: He runs fast.

 

Rules for Using Adverbs

1. Placement of adverbs

·         Adverbs of manner, place, and time usually come after the verb in a sentence.
Example: He spoke calmly. She arrived early, she sat outside

·         Adverbs of frequency are usually placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs.
Ex:

 She often visits her grandparents (before the main verb)

 She is usually calm (after the auxiliary).

2. Avoid Double Negatives
   two negative adverbs together create confusion within the sentence.
   Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
   Correct: I don’t know anything.
3. Modifiers for Adjectives and Adverbs
   we use adverbs to modify adjectives or other adverbs.
   Ex: The plate was very delicious. (“very” here modifies the adjective “delicious”)
   He walked cautiously closely ( here “cautiously” modifies the adverb “closely”)

 

Summary Table for Adverbs

Type	Examples	Question Answered
Adverbs of Manner	beautifully, quickly	How?
Adverbs of Time	yesterday, soon	When?
Adverbs of Place	here, everywhere	Where?
Adverbs of Degree	very, completely, almost	To what extent?
Adverbs of Frequency	always, often, rarely	How often?
Interrogative Adverbs	how, why, when	Asking questions
Relative Adverbs	where, when, why	Connecting clauses

 

In what follows, common rules for adverb formation (Bear in mind that there are exceptions to which none of the rules apply.

 

Rule	Example

 

Add "-ly" to the adjective	quick → quickly

 

Change "-y" to "-ily"	happy → happily

 

Drop "-e" from "-le" endings and add “ly”	gentle → gently

 

Add "-ally" to "-ic" adjectives	basic → basically

 

Use same form as adjective	fast → fast

 

Irregular forms	good → well, far → further

 

Add "-wise" for relation ex:	length → lengthwise

 

Compound adverbs

Ex : some + how → somehow