What Are Adverbs?
At school, you may have been told that adverbs end ly and modify verbs. That is all true, but adverbs are far more diverse than that description suggests.
Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Although many adverbs end ly, lots do not (e.g., fast, never, well, very, most, least, more, less, now, far, and there).
Adverbs Modifying Verbs
An adverb that modifies a verb usually tells you when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent the action is performed. (NB: The ones that end ly are usually the ones that tell us how the action is performed, e.g., quickly, slowly, carefully, quietly.)
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying verbs:
- Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf.
- Tara walks gracefully.
- He runs fast.
- You can set your watch by him. He always leaves at 5 o'clock.
- The dinner guests arrived early.
- She sometimes helps us.
- I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly. (Oscar Wilde)
(The word carefully is an adverb. It shows how the vase was placed.)
(The word gracefully is an adverb. It modifies the verb to walk.)
(The word fast is an adverb. It modifies the verb to run.)
(The word always is an adverb. It modifies the verb to leave.)
(Here, early modifies to arrive.)
(Here, sometimes modifies to help.)
(Here, thoroughly modifies to know.)
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives
If you examine the word adverb, you could be forgiven for thinking adverbs only modify verbs (i.e., add to verbs), but adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adjectives:
- The horridly grotesque gargoyle was undamaged by the debris.
- Peter had an extremely ashen face.
- Badly trained dogs that fail the test will become pets.
- She wore a beautifully designed dress.
(The adverb horridly modifies the adjective grotesque.)
(The adverb extremely modifies the adjective ashen.)
(The adverb badly modifies the adjective trained.)
(Note: The adjective trained is an adjective formed from the verb to train. It is called a participle.)
(The adverb beautifully modifies the adjective designed.)
Adverbs Modifying Adverbs
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adverbs:
- Peter Jackson finished his assignment remarkably quickly.
(The adverb quickly modifies the verb to finish. The adverb remarkably modifies the adverb quickly.)
Different Types of Adverbs
Although there are thousands of adverbs, each one can usually be categorized in one of the following groupings:
Adverbs of Time
An adverb of time tells us when an action occurs. For example:
- Press the button now.
- I have never been.
- I tell him daily.
- I tell him on a daily basis.
(Remember, an adverb can be more than one word. Here, the adverb is a prepositional phrase.)
Read more about adverbial phrases.
Read more about adverbial clauses.
Adverbs of Place
An adverb of place tells us where an action occurs. For example:
- Daisies grow everywhere.
- I did not put it there.
- I did not put it in the box.
(Remember, an adverb can be more than one word.)
Adverbs of Manner
An adverb of manner tells us how an action occurs. For example:
- He passed the re-sit easily.
- The lion crawled stealthily.
- The lion crawled like an escaped convict.
Adverbs of Degree
An adverb of degree tells us to what degree action occurs. For example:
- That is the farthest I have ever jumped.
- He boxed more cleverly.
Read more about comparatives of adverbs (like more cleverly).
The adverb categories above are relatively simple. The next adverb categories are a little more complicated:
Adverbs of Condition
An adverb of condition tells us the condition needed before the main idea comes into effect. (An adverb of condition often starts with if or unless. For example:
- If it rains, the party will be ruined.
- I will not talk unless you apologize.
Adverbs of Concession
An adverb of concession contrasts with the main idea. An adverb of concession often starts with a subordinating conjunction like though, although, even though, while, whereas, and even if. For example:
- Although her face is an odd shape, she is undoubtedly beautiful.
- A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it's a whisper. (Barry Neil Kaufman)
Adverbs of Reason
An adverb of reason gives a reason for the main idea. An adverb of reason usually starts with a subordinating conjunctions like as, because, given, or since. For example:
- Given today's strong tide, you should expect a tough swim.
- I don't have a bank account because I don't know my mother's maiden name. (Paula Poundstone).
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