An adverb can modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. An adverb indicates manner, time, place, cause, or degree and answers questions such as “how,” “when,” “where,” “how much”.
While some adverbs can be identified by their characteristic “ly” suffix, most of them must be identified by untangling the grammatical relationships within the sentence or clause as a whole. Unlike an adjective, an adverb can be found in various places within the sentence.
In the following examples, each of underlined words is an adverb:
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- The girl is very beautiful (modifies an adjective)
- He walks slowly (modifies a verb)
- He walks very slowly. (modifies an adverb)
- I went there only to meet her. (modifies an adverb)
- This is an alternative only to success. (modifies a preposition)
- You can remain safe only by doing the work. (modifies a preposition)
- Unfortunately, the bank closed at three. (modifies the entire sentence)
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Adverbs are classified into three types. Look at the diagram below:
| Adverb | ||
| Simple Adverb | Relative Adv./ Conju. Adv. | Interrogative Adv. |
There are different types of Simple Adverbs.
i) Adverbs of Time: Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, but also for how long, and how often. Adverbs of time are invariable. For example,
Now, then, before, after, since, ago, already, yesterday, today, daily, frequently, instantly, soon, again, etc.
Order of adverbs of time
If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in this order:
1: how long 2: how often 3: when
Examples
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- 1 + 2 : I work (1) for five hours (2) every day
- 2 + 3 : The magazine was published (2) weekly (3) last year.
- 1 + 3 : I was abroad (1) for two months (3) last year.
- 1 + 2 + 3 : She worked in a hospital (1) for two days (2) every week (3) last year.
ii) Adverbs of Place: Adverbs of place tell us where something happens. Adverbs of place are usually placed after the main verb or after the clause that they modify. Adverbs of place do not modify adjectives or other adverbs. For example,
Here, there, far, near, nearby, locally, universally, etc.
iii) Adverbs of Manner: Adverbs of manner tell us how something happens. They are usually placed either after the main verb or after the object. For example,
Slowly, quickly, beautifully, clearly, simply, suddenly, carefully, easily, etc.
iv) Adverbs of Degree: Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity of something. Adverbs of degree are usually placed before the adjective, adverb, or verb that they modify, although there are some exceptions. For example,
quite, almost, very, much fully, completely, totally, half, enough, somewhat, etc.
v) Adverbs of Number: Adverbs of number are used to show the number of actions of the verb in a sentence. For example,
once, twice, secondly, often, yearly, never, lastly, etc.
vi) Adverbs of Cause and Effect: Adverbs of cause and effect are used to explain the reason for what happens in the main clause. For example,
Hence, therefore, so, so that, as, since, as, inasmuch as, in that, etc.
vii) Adverbs of Order: Adverbs of order are used to indicate the different phases of action. For example,
First, second, third, firstly, secondly, lastly, finally, etc.
viii) Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation: Adverbs of affirmation and negation are adverbs that confirm or deny the action of the verb in the sentence. These adverbs are also used to reinforce the action of a verb. For example,
Yes, no, never, surely, certainly, probably, possibly, etc.
b) Interrogative Adverbs: The interrogative adverbs why, where, how, & when are placed at the beginning of a question. These questions can be answered with a sentence or a prepositional phrase. After an interrogative adverb in a question, you must invert the subject and verb so that the verb comes first.
c) Conjunctive/ Relative Adverbs: A conjunctive/relative adverb connects two independent clauses or sentences. Typically, adverbs modify other words (verbs, adjectives and other adverbs). Conjunctive adverbs, however, are used to modify two independent clauses and join them together, behaving more like coordinating conjunctions.
Look at the following examples:
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- We know the place where they live (Relative Adverb)
- I know when he will come (Conjunctive Adverb)
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*Note that if an adverb follows an antecedent, it is the relative adverb. And if an adverb does not follow an antecedent, it is a conjunctive adverb.