Adverbs are words that provide further information about how, when, and where something takes place. They may consist of a single word (formally termed a simple adverb), two words joined together (called a compound adverb), or an adverbial phrase.Adverbs may be formally subdivided into adverbs of manner, adverbs of degree, adverbs of time, and adverbs of place. Adverbs of manner refer to the manner in which something is done or takes place. Examples include angrily, carefully, eagerly, easily, energetically, happily, loudly, movingly, quickly, quietly, sadly, slowly, smoothly, tightly, and wistfully:She dropped lightly to the floor.
The train moved jerkily forward.
They tackled the task enthusiastically. Adverbs of degree describe the degree to which something is done. Examples include barely, completely, considerably, deeply, greatly, hardly, highly, immensely, partly, rather, strongly, and utterly.They were greatly interested.
The result was immensely impressive.
She was rather drunk by the end of the evening. Among the adverbs of degree are the so-called intensifiers, which can be used to intensify adjectives or other adverbs. Examples include absolutely, altogether, barely, completely, desperately, enough, extremely, fairly, hardly, quite, rather, remarkably, scarcely, slightly, somewhat, terribly, thoroughly, too, and very:The wind was blowing very strongly.
His wife is fairly good-looking.
It is a terribly disappointing result. Adverbs of time describe the time when something is done or takes place. Examples include always, currently, daily, frequently, immediately, later, now, often, recently, soon, then, today, tomorrow, and yesterday:He turned up late.
They left the city yesterday.
I will be there soon. Adverbs of place refer to the location where something is done or takes place. Examples include above, anywhere, away, below, down, forward, here, in, nearby, nowhere, out, somewhere, there, and up:Get here as soon as you can.
It is snowing outside.
There is a hotel nearby. Other categories of adverbs include those that express the probability of something (certainly, possibly, probably), those that restrict or specify (exactly, only, particularly), and those that make clear what is being discussed (about, on, over). It is also possible to create a further class comprising the word how and certain adverbs that begin with wh- (when, where, why), which are used to introduce relative clauses, ask questions, and link clauses:Where is she going?
It was turning into a day when nothing was going right.
We know where the key is.
There is a reason why the clock has stopped. The wh- adverbs are often strengthened through the application of the adverb ever, especially in informal contexts:How ever did you get here so quickly?
What ever were you thinking?
Where ever are your clothes? Caution should be taken, however, not to confuse these adverbs used for emphasis with the more straightforward adverbs however, whatever, wherever, etc., which are always written as one word:However difficult the task, it is worth persevering.
Whatever happens, I will be here.
Wherever she goes, trouble follows. Adverbs can be attached to several other classes of word. They can modify verbs (dance gracefully, die slowly), adjectives (slightly damp, very cold), or other adverbs (reasonably quickly, quite well). On occasion an adverb may modify a whole clause or sentence:Critically the play was well received.
Sadly, the campaign achieved nothing. Alternatively it may modify a noun phrase (quite a blow, the layer below) or a preposition (just above, not since then).Care should be taken with such sentence adverbs when the adverb concerned relates more closely to the speaker than to the content of the ensuing sentence, since such imprecision may incur disapproval:Personally I wouldn't dream of spending so much. Another way of categorizing adverbs is to separate them according to their role within a sentence. The majority of adverbs may be classed as adjuncts, adverbs that relate to the verb or to the whole sentence (wave wildly, leave yesterday). Others may be grouped under the title subjuncts, which relates to adverbs that play a subordinate role in a sentence (pass the bottle, please). A third group are called disjuncts, adverbs that refer to the style or content of a sentence (generally, perhaps, undoubtedly). A final group of so-called conjuncts includes adverbs that link clauses, sentences, or paragraphs (alternatively, besides, finally, firstly, however, instead, likewise, meanwhile, nevertheless, overall, secondly, similarly, so, therefore).Adverbs are commonly formed by adding an -ly or -ally ending to an adjective (coyly, softly, tactically, basically). Note that in a few cases the spelling of the adjectival stem may alter with the addition of the adverbial ending (easily, truly). (See also page 181.) Some adverbs, however, retain their adjectival form and do not require an -ly ending (arrive late, sink low). Other adverbial endings include -ward, or -wards (downward, upward), -ways (sideways), and -wise (clockwise).Note that many adverbs can be used in comparative and superlative contexts (more completely, less quietly, most richly decorated) and may have specific comparative and superlative forms as in the case of fast and hard (fast/faster/fastest, hard/harder/hardest). Some may have irregular comparative and superlative forms (well/better/best, badly/worse/worst).Position of AdverbsAdverbs are usually placed next to the simple verb between the parts of a verb (they have never met; she is rarely defeated), although they can be placed virtually anywhere within a sentence:She walked slowly through the garden.
Slowly she walked through the garden.
She walked through the garden slowly. Adverbs should not be placed between a verb and its direct object, however. The length of the object clause determines whether an adverb should be placed before or after the verb:She tidied the room quickly.
She quickly tidied the room that she had slept in. Note that the positioning of an adverb can alter the meaning of the sentence:Only the president can order a sale.
The president can only order a sale.
The president can order a sale only. Careless positioning of an adverb can sometimes lead to ambiguity:He whispered faintly romantic words. In this example the adverb faintly may be confusingly interpreted as applying either to the verb whispered or to the adjective romantic.The safest option is usually to position the adverb next to the word to which it relates. If it modifies another adverb or an adjective, it should be placed immediately before that adverb or adjective (quite good progress, very gently).
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