Adverbs
Adverbs
Adverbs are used to modify other words. By modifying words, we mean that they are often used to describe when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and word groups. Adverbs most commonly end in -ly. ESL writers often confuse adverbs with adjectives.
Marge quickly cleaned up the mess on the floor.
This bookshelf is hardly finished! You haven't even painted it yet!
The police officer carefully removed the suspicious package from the mailbox.
Groups of words that contain a subject and a verb can act as an adverb by modifying the verb of the sentence. This is known as an adverb clause.
When breakfast is over, you are going to school.
When there is a group of words that does not contain a subject or a verb, but it still acts like an adverb, this is called an adverbial phrase.
She went to the gym every day to get ready for her wedding.
Adverbs can modify adjectives, but adjectives cannot modify adverbs.
There are five kinds of adverbs: adverbs of manner, adverbs of place, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of time, and adverbs of purpose.
Adverbs of Manner: Adverbs of manner describe how something happens or happened.
The turtle moved slowly across the road.
I drove carefully to avoid him.
Adverbs of Place: Adverbs of place describe where something happens or happened.
She had moved to the desert in September.
She will stay there until January.
Adverbs of Frequency: Adverbs of frequency describe how often something happens or happened.
He goes fishing every weekend in the summer.
He often goes with his son.
Adverbs of Time: Adverbs of time describe when something happens or happened.
We finished the race first.
He left his house late.
She tried to get home before supper time.
Adverbs of Purpose: Adverbs of purpose describe why something happens or happened.
Chris bought flowers for his girlfriend.
He is saving his money to buy her a ring.
When there is more than one adverb in a sentence, they should typically appear in a certain basic order. This order is a guideline and is flexible. This order is usually as follows: (1) adverb of manner, (2) adverb of place, (3) adverb of frequency, (4) adverb of time, and (5) adverb of purpose.
I write (1) emphatically (2) in my study (3) every night (4) after midnight (5) to clear my head.
She cries (1) uncontrollably (2) into her pillow (3) every morning (4) before work.
They hugged (1) forcibly (2) in the living room (4) before they left (5) to make amends.
Adverbs are the parts of the sentence that provide greater information about something and define the when, where, or how. Adverbs can be used as connectors (e.g., however), and as indicators of time (afternoon), place (upstairs), or frequency (often). However, just as adverbs can be utilized for a whole variety of different uses, there is no one rule for the placement of adverbs. Different types of adverbs need to be placed in different positions within a clause or a sentence.
There are three positions in which adverbs can be placed: the initial position (at the very beginning of a clause or sentence), the mid position (in the middle of a clause or sentence), and the end position (at the end of the clause or sentence).
I won the case; therefore, I will celebrate![/caption] Connecting adverbs always occur at the beginning of a clause or sentence because they connect it to the sentence or phrase that has come just before. In addition, commas are normally placed after an adverb when it is used in this fashion.
Examples of connecting adverbs:
She had to walk to work. However, she had to collect the post first.
The supermarket was very busy. Consequently, it took much longer to buy groceries.
There are thunderstorms predicted. Still, the weather for the weekend looks nice.
Other common examples of connecting adverbs include next, then, conversely, and therefore.
Time adverbs are the most flexible of all adverbs in terms of positioning, as they are also often used in the end position.
Examples of time adverbs in the initial position:
Tomorrow I have a science exam.
Often Jaime would forget he had left the oven on.
Occasionally, the bus runs on time.
Other common examples of time adverbs include frequently, usually, and sometimes.
The adverbs placed in the middle of clauses or sentences are generally focusing adverbs, adverbs that put the emphasis on one part of the clause and serve to modify it, add additional information, or clarify existing information. Focusing adverbs can include adverbs of frequency (never, rarely), certainty (probably, definitely), and comment adverbs (expertly). Adverbs of time (finally, soon) can also appear in the middle position due to their flexible nature.
Examples of focusing adverbs:
He intelligently grabbed a fire extinguisher to stop the blaze spreading.
Edward never forgets to feed the elephants.
She probably didn't remember the time he spilled soup on himself.
However, it is important to remember that when focusing adverbs are placed in the middle position, they must always be placed after the auxiliary verb but before the main verb. For example, it should be written as "I don't often dye my hair" rather than "I often don't dye my hair."
While adverbs can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence or clause, the majority of adverbs are generally at the end, after the main verb.
These adverbs are placed to provide more information as to how something was done. Like adverbs of time, these adverbs are flexible and can also be used in the middle position.
Amy suddenly jumped in the pool.
Lucian played the violin awfully.
They whispered together quietly.
Other examples of adverbs of manner include words such as accurately, thoughtfully, slowly, and carefully.
Adverbs of place are used to clarify or provide information about where something is done.
Examples of adverbs of place:
David stopped in the doorway.
If it starts raining, the party will have to move inside.
His mother made James move his band practice upstairs.
As mentioned earlier, adverbs of time do normally occur at the end of a clause or a sentence, though they can also be used at the beginning or in the middle.
Examples of adverbs of time in the end position:
They decided to visit the cinema on the weekend.
I missed my appointment with my doctor yesterday.
Sam planned to win the marathon next year.
The main exceptions to the normal rules of adverb placement are when adverbs are placed in the initial position in order to provide greater emphasis, such as in imperative sentences.
Examples of these exceptions:
Never disobey your father's instructions.
Always wear pale or reflective clothing when walking at night.
Now tell me you don't believe me.
In addition, adverbs of frequency should always be placed after am, is, are, was, were, and so on when a form of to be is used as the main verb of the sentence.
Examples of these exceptions:
I am always a fair referee.
My aunt is usually late for dinner.
Jon and Michael were often in the pool.
When editing ESL documents for adverbs, remember that awkward constructions with adverbs almost always occur because of the misplacement of adverbs. Check the placement of the adverb with respect to auxiliary and main verbs. Also, remember that the placement of adverbs is different in imperative sentences.
Last Updated: 09/29/2022