- Rohit is a good boy.
- Rohit is a very good boy.
In the first sentence,
"good" gives information about the common noun "boy". So, “good” is an
adjective because we know that an adjective gives information about a noun or
a pronoun. In the second sentence, “very” has intensified the quality of the "boy". What is the quality of the "boy"? He is good. “Very” has added the intensity
of that quality. As "good" is an adjective, "very" is an adverb because an adverb
modifies an adjective.
An adverb modifies a verb:
- He works.
- He works hard.
Here, the word “work” is a verb because it carries the action of
the subject (he). Later, we find extra information about that verb from the
word "hard". Who gives information about the verb? The answer is an adverb. So, “hard” is
an adverb.
An adverb modifies an adverb:
- He works hard.
- He works really hard.
Here, “really” has expressed the intensity of the adverb “hard”.
Who describes an adverb? An adverb can describe another adverb. So, we can see how an adverb can describe another adverb.
An adverb modifies a preposition:
- I jumped over the fence
- I jumped just over the fence.
“Over” is a preposition. “Just” has specified the
preposition “over”.
An adverb modifies conjunction:
- I love him because he is honest.
- I love him only because he is honest.
Here, the adverb “only” describes the conjunction “because”.
An adverb modifies a complete sentence.
- Surely, he is a lovable person.
Simple adverb has been divided into many types:
- Adverb of time
- Adverb of place
- Adverb of manner
- Adverb of degree
- Adverb of frequency
- Adverb of affirmation and negation
- Adverb of order
- Adverb of intensity
- Adverb of down-toner
- I went to Sundarbans yesterday.
- Do your homework now.
- God lives within us.
- I kept my mobile phone somewhere, but I cannot remember the exact place.
- God is everywhere.
Some examples of the adverb of place are “anywhere”, “near”, “inside”, “somewhere”, “elsewhere”, “backward/s”, “upwards”, “here”, “nearby”, etc.
1. C. Adverbs of manner: Adverb of manner describes a verb. It says how we do a particular work.
- He walks slowly.
- He laughed loudly.
- He works hard.
Here, we can understand how he walks, laughed, and works.
The most common adverbs of manners are “softly”, “gently”,
“quickly”, “well”, “hard”, “straight, “high” “elegantly”, “happily”,
“carefully”, “fluently”, “badly”, “nearly” etc.
Rules of Making adverbs of manner:
Rule one: We can make adverbs of the manner by adding “ly” with the adjectives.
- Adjectives: careful, easy, beautiful, wise, etc.
- Adverb: carefully, easily, beautifully, wisely, etc.
Rule Two: There are some irregular adverbs of manner.
- Adjectives: high, good, late, straight, hard, fast
- Adverbs: high, well, late, straight, hard, fast
1. D. Adverbs of degree:
The adverb of degree describes an adjective, verb, and adverb. Adverb of degree answers two questions: i. how much? or ii. to what extent? It modifies verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. They tell us about the degree or intensity of an action, an adjective, or another adverb.
- The scenery is very beautiful.
- We have to work so hard.
- I totally enjoyed the scenery.
To what extent did I enjoy the scenery? I enjoyed the scenery
totally. How beautiful is the scenery is? The scenery is very beautiful. How
much should I work? I have to work so hard. So, we can see how adverbs of
degree can modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
“Almost”, “extremely”, “just”, “hardly”, “nearly”, “enough”, “fully”, “quite”, “just”, “terribly”, “perfectly, “and scarcely” are some other commonly used adverbs of degree.
1. E. Adverbs of frequency:
Often, twice, rarely, and every day, are some examples of adverbs of frequency. The adverb of frequency tells us how often or how frequently an action takes place.
- I play cricket regularly.
- I brush my teeth every day.
- I sometimes go there.
- He occasionally does it.
- They never hurt others.
‘Once’, ‘daily’, ‘often’, ‘frequently’, ‘daily’, ‘regularly’,
‘occasionally’, ‘sometimes’, ‘hardly’, and ‘never’ are some examples of
adverbs of frequency.
The difference between the adverb of frequency and the adverb of
time lies in the fact that the adverb of frequency gives an answer to the
question - “how often?” On the other hand, the adverb of time gives an
answer to the question - “when?”
1. F. Adverbs of affirmation and negation:
Adverb of affirmation and negation gives either positive or negative statement. ‘Yes’, ‘no’, ‘not’, ‘certainly’, ‘surely’, and ‘really’ are some examples.
- I do not do it.
- Yes, he can do it.
- Certainly, you are mistaken.
1. G. Adverbs of downtowner:
The adverb of downtowner weakens, decreases, or lessens the intensity of the verb, adjective, and adverb.
- This is somewhat wrong.
- We can hardly do it.
- A barking dog seldom bites.
“barely”, scarcely, “nearly”, “hardly”, “a bit”, “a little bit”, and “a tiny bit” are some more examples of adverbs of downtowners.
2. Interrogative Adverbs
Interrogative adverbs are used to ask questions. There are many
types of interrogative adverbs:
2. A. Interrogative adverb of time
- When do you do your homework?
2. B. Interrogative adverb of place
- Where are you going?
2. C. Interrogative adverb of manner
- How have you done it?
2. D. Interrogative adverb of degree
- How far have you completed the work?
2. E. Interrogative adverb of frequency
- How often do you go abroad every year?
2. F. Interrogative adverb of number
- How many pens do you have?
2. G. Interrogative adverb of quantity
- How much water do you drink every day?
2. H. Interrogative adverb of reason
- Why are you doing it?
3. Relatives and Conjunctive Adverbs
A relative adverb joins
two sentences together and it has its antecedent which may be expressed or
hidden.
·
I know the man who came
here yesterday.
If the relative adverb does not have any antecedent, it becomes a
conjunctive adverb.
·
I don't know who came
here yesterday.
4. Adverbs of Comparison
Adverb of comparison has a positive, comparative and superlative
degree.
Some of the examples are: slow, slower, slowest, hard, harder, hardest, soon, sooner, soonest, high, higher, highest, early, earlier, earliest, fast, faster, fastest, etc.
5. Sentence Adverb:
Some adverbs modify a complete sentence. This type of adverb is called a sentence adverb.
- Walk fast. Otherwise, you will miss the first class.
- There is a coronavirus outbreak everywhere in the world. Therefore, we have to stay at home.
“However”, “moreover”, “accordingly”, “perhaps”, “thus”, and “consequently” are some other examples of sentence adverbs,
6. Prepositional Adverb
There are some prepositions that can behave like adverbs. You can understand the difference when you know that a preposition must have an object, but a prepositional adverb does not have an object.
- She fell down.
- She is walking down the road.
Here, the word “down” is behaving as an adverb in the first example and as a preposition in the second example. In the first example, the word “down” is describing the verb “fell”. So, it is an adverb in this sentence because we know that an adverb can describe a verb. On the other hand, “down” in the second sentence has an object— “the road”. So, “down” is a preposition in this sentence because we know that a preposition must have an object. Look at another example:
- Today, I want to stay outside.
- Go outside the room.
- I am looking out.
- I am thinking out of the box.
“Outside”
in the first sentence is describing the verb “stay”. So, it is an adverb in
this sentence. On the other hand, “outside” in the second sentence is a
preposition because it has an object, “the room”. Similarly, “out” in the third
sentence is an adverb, and “out” in the fourth example is a
preposition.
Some
prepositions that can behave like adverbs:
In, on, near, out, over, without, within, up, under, about, across, along, by, beyond, over, past, below, insight, opposite, around, round, through, since, throughout, etc.
We all
know that these words are prepositions. But, now, you all know that these words
can be used as adverbs.
Note: You should keep in mind that if you separate the term and object, and if they the term and object) do not make any sense, the term is an adverb.
- Look up your experience.
- Due to rain, the umpire called off the last session.
Here, both “up” and “off” are adverbs, not prepositions. If we go to separate the term (“up”), and object (“your experience”) from the first example, we will see that they do not make any sense. Similarly, “off” in the second example is an adverb too.
Placement
We can use an adverb in four positions of a sentence—at the beginning, before or after the verb, and at the end of the sentence.
- Unfortunately, he missed the train. (Beginning)
- I generally do my homework at night. (middle)
- He is really happy. (Middle -- after the auxiliary verb)
- He works hard. (At the end of the sentence/clause)
Dealing with the placement of adverbs requires hard labor because
several adverbs can sit in more than one position.
This article is going to help you understand how different types of adverbs sit in different positions of a sentence. Moreover, you will also come to know about some adverbs that can sit in more than one position. The ability to use the adverbs in their right positions comes from enough practice.
Adverbs
that sit at the beginning of the sentence
Connecting adverbs, adverbs of frequency, adverbs of manner, and
adverbs of time can sit at the beginning of the sentence or clause.
|
Sentence/Connecting Adverbs |
Adverbs of Frequency |
Adverbs of manner |
Adverbs of Time |
|
First, firstly, second, secondly, so, therefore, However,
moreover, then, next, afterward, otherwise, As a result, consequently,
etc. |
Occasionally, sometimes, frequently, often, generally, normally,
usually Do not use: Never, seldom, rarely, ever, always |
Suddenly, slowly, badly, quietly |
Yesterday, last night, last year, tonight, every weak, soon,
already, today, tomorrow |
Adverbs
that sit at the end of the sentence
Adverbs of frequency, adverbs of manner, and Adverbs of time can
also go at the end of the sentence or clause.
|
Adverbs of Frequency |
Adverbs of manner |
Adverbs of Time |
Prepositional Adverb |
|
Occasionally, sometimes, frequently, often, generally, normally,
usually Do not use: Never, seldom, rarely, ever, always |
Suddenly, slowly, badly, quietly |
Yesterday, last night, last year, tonight, every weak, soon,
already, today, tomorrow |
Up, down, on, insight, forward, by, etc. |
Adverbs
that sit at the middle position of the sentence
Adverbs of frequency, adverbs of manner, adverbs of time, adverbs of
degree, and adverbs of certainty can sit in the middle position (after “to be”
verbs, auxiliary verbs, and before other verbs).
|
Adverbs of
Frequency |
Adverbs of Manner |
Adverbs of
Degree |
Adverbs of
Certainty |
Adverbs of
Time |
|
Never, seldom, rarely, ever, always, etc. You can also use other adverbs used in the front and middle
positions: Occasionally, sometimes, frequently, often, generally, normally,
usually, etc. |
Suddenly, slowly, badly, quietly, etc. |
Almost, extremely, just, hardly, nearly, enough, fully, mainly,
quiet, just, terribly, perfectly, scarcely, even, also, only,
etc. |
Probably,
obviously, definitely, undoubtedly, clearly, surely, certainly,
etc. |
Already, finally, last, soon, just, yet, eventually, already,
etc. |
Follow the following rules as well as examples that will also help
you understand the placement of different kinds of adverbs.
Rule 1: Connecting adverbs are always used at the beginning of the sentence.
- He Studies regularly. So, he will stand first in the exam.
- He is a poor person. However, he always helps the poor.
Rule 2: A prepositional adverb sits at the end of a sentence or clause.
- He ran outside.
- We have to move on.
Rule 3: Adverb of frequency such as always, never, sit/go in the middle position (between the subject and the verb).
- I never smoke cigarettes.
Some frequency adverbs such as “sometimes”, and “always”, can go
beginning or end in some situations. But usually, we put frequency adverbs in
the middle position, before the main verb.
Rule 4: If a 'be' verb, be it in any form, of becomes the main verb, the frequency adverb goes after the verb.
- Rohit is sometimes late for his class.
Rule 5: We use an adverb of frequency between helping and the main verb.
- We should always do our duty.
Rule 6: The adverbs of frequency that are definite such as “day”, “week”, “month” or “year” sit at the beginning or end of the sentence.
- I go abroad every year.
- Every year I visit New York.
Rule 7: The adverb which says how many times (twice, thrice, etc.) sits at the end of the sentence.
- I water the garden twice a day.
Rule 8: We use adverbs of time, place, and manner after the object of the transitive verb or after the intransitive verb.
- He drives fast.
- I bought this car yesterday.
- I am going there.
Rule 9: We use an adverb of degree before an adjective. The adverb of degree does not sit at the beginning.
- He was highly passionate.
The adverb of degree doesn't go at the beginning. If an adverb of degree modifies a verb, it goes before the verb.
- John really loves her.
Rule 10: We should not put an adverb of manner between the verb and direct object. We put the adverb before the transitive verb.
- We carefully placed the floral wreath.
Rule 11: In the case of the intransitive verb, we use an adverb of manner after the intransitive verb.
- The rich laughed silently at the poor.
Exercise
1. Identify the sentence
which shows the adverb of degree.
a. He works so
hard. c. He looks very beautiful.
b. He drives slowly. d. a & c
2. Can you identify the
sentence which has an adverb of manner?
a. He speaks gently.
c. He runs fast.
b. He waited eagerly. d. all
3. Choose the adverb of
frequency.
a. I take exercise
regularly. c. Sometimes I visit my hometown.
b. I occasionally do it. d. all
4. Which one is the
sentence adverb?
a. within c.
what
b. however d. hardly
5. Identify the relative
adverb.
a. within c.
what
b. however d. hardly
6. Choose the prepositional
adverb.
a. We should move on. c. We should walk outside.
b. There is a book on the table. d. a and c
7. If the main verb is 'be'
or any form of 'be', where do we use adverbs of frequency such as always,
never, etc.?
a. Between subject and verb
c. between verb and object
b. at the end of the sentence d. at the beginning of the sentence
8. If the main verb is 'be'
or any form of 'be', where do we use adverbs of frequency such as always,
never, etc.?
a. Between subject and verb
c. after the verb
b. at the end of the sentence d. at the beginning of the sentence
9. In the case of an
intransitive verb, where do we use adverbs?
a. before intransitive
verb c. after intransitive verb
b. at the beginning of the sentence d. a and c
10. In
the case of a transitive verb, where do we use adverbs?
a. before the transitive
verb c. after the transitive verb
b. b. at the beginning of the sentence d. at the end of the sentence
11. Where
do we place the adverb of time, place, and manner?
a. before the object of
transitive verb c. after the object of transitive verb
b. between a transitive verb and an object d. Between subject and transitive verb
12. In
the case of an intransitive verb, where should we use adverbs of manner?
a. before intransitive
verb c. after intransitive verb
b. anywhere in the sentence d. at the beginning of the
sentence