Adverbial phrases

Adverbial phrases of manner, place and time are often formed with a preposition + noun: in a hurry, in the garden, at the station Other examples of adverbial phrases: again and again (frequency); hardly at all (degree); very much indeed (intensifying); as a matter of fact (viewpoint); in that case (connective).

Adverb particles

Certain words, such as in, off, up, function either as prepositions or as

adverb particles [> 8.4], When such words are followed by an object,

they function as prepositions; when there is no object, they are adverb

particles:

preposition: The children are in the house

adverb: The children have just gone in

The comparison of adverbs

Form of comparison of adverbs

Only gradable adverbs [compare > 6.5] can have comparative and superlative forms Comparison is not possible with adverbs such as daily, extremely only really, then there, uniquely, because they are not gradable. Gradable adverbs form comparatives and superlatives as follows:

Adverb comparative superlative

1 Same form as adjective: fast faster fastest

2 -ly adverbs of manner: easily more easily most easily

3 Some adverbs of frequency, rarely more rarely most rarely

4 Exceptions: badly worse worst

far farther farthest

further furthest

late later last

little less least

much more most

we// better best

7.5 Notes on the comparison of adverbs [compare 6.22-26]

1 Many adverbs like early, fast, etc. [> App 14] form their comparatives and superlatives in the same way as shorter adjectives (e.g. earlier earliest).

2 As most adverbs of manner have two or more syllables, they form their comparatives and superlatives with more/less and most/least Other examples: more-'less/most'least briefly clearly guickly.

Adverbs