PARTS OF SPEECH: ADVERBS

 

ADVERBS

 

What is an Adverb?

 

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".

 

•  Ex: Ramu runs quickly.(modifies verb); This is a very sweet mango(modifies an adjective); He reads quite clearly (modifies adverb.

 

•  Adverbs standing at the beginning of sentences sometimes modify the whole sentences, rather than any particular word. Ex: Probably it may rain today. Certainly I will help you Mummy. Unfortunately the power has gone. Luckily I have torch with me.

 

Adverbs may be divided into the following types. 1) Adverb of time, 2) Adverb of frequency, 3) Adverb of place, 4) Adverb of manner, 5) Adverb of Degree or Quantity, 6) Adverb of affirmation and Negation and 7) Adverb of Reason.

 

1.            Adverb of Time:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about when. That is when the work is done etc. Ex: I have seen her before. That day I arrived late. She went to movie yesterday. Wasted time never returns.

 

2.            Adverb of Frequency:

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about how often. That is how the work is done etc. Ex: I have explained you it twice. Once I met her on the road. He seldom goes to school. He always smokes which is a dangerous habit.

 

3.            Adverb of Place:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about ‘where’. That is where the work is done etc. Ex: I am here. She went out. Come in. You may go out. Walk backward to get the route.

 

4.            Adverb of Manner:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about how or in what manner. That is how the work is done etc. Ex: He fought bravely with the lion. She talked freely with me. You should not do so. Thus, only you will succeed.

 

5.            Adverb of Degree or Quantity:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about how much or in what degree. Ex: He was too careless sometime. Is there any one at home? We are partially right in this issue. He is as tall as palm tree. She sings pretty well.

 

6.            Adverb of Affirmation and Negation:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about conformation. Ex: Surely I will help you. I do not know her.

 

7.            Adverb of Reason:

 

•  This kind of Adverbs tell us about reason and its result. Ex: …..so, you can pay now. He therefore left school.

 

Agreement Features (Adverbs)

 

·        Place the adverb in such a way as to make it quite clear which word or words they are intended, qualify etc

 

 

·        He immediately disappeared, (wrong, say, disappeared immediately)

 

o   He peacefully died, (wrong, say died peacefully)

 

·        When the verb is transitive, an adverb can be placed either before the verb or after the object, but not between the verb and the object.

o   He briefly explained his meaning (correct)

 

o   He explained his meaning briefly (correct)

 

o   He explained briefly his meaning (wrong)

 

·        The adverb enough is always placed after the word it qualifies,

 

o   You know well enough what I mean (correct)

 

o   He is enough wise to do this (wrong, say, wise enough to do this)

 

·        As a general rule, only or even should be placed immediately before the word they are intended to modify, eg

 

o   I worked only two sums

 

o   I praise him only when he deserves it

 

o   He can’t write even correct Telugu (wrong, say, even write correct)

 

·        Else should be followed by the adverb but not than eg

 

o   It is nothing else than pride (wrong)

 

o   It is nothing else but pride (correct)

 

o   Call me anything else that a fool (wrong)

 

o   Call me anything else but a fool