What an adverb is and what it does

The word adverb (ad-verb) suggests the idea of adding to the meaning of a verb. This is what many adverbs do. They can tell us something about the action in a sentence by modifying a verb, i.e. by telling us how, when, where, etc. something happens or is done: Paganini played the violin beautifully (How did he play?)

However, adverbs can also modify:

- adjectives: very good, awfully hungry

- other adverbs: very soon awfully quickly

- prepositional phrases: You're entirely in the wrong

- complete sentences: Strangely enough I won first prize

- nouns: The man over there is a doctor Adverbs can be single words (slowly) or phrases {in the garden) and the term adverbial is often used to describe both types.

Adverbs are not always essential to the structure of a sentence, but

they often affect the meaning. Compare:
Dons has left Dons has just left

I have finished work I have nearly finished work

Sometimes adverbs are essential to complete a sentence:

1 after some intransitive verbs such as lie, live, sit, etc.: Lie down [> 8. 29] Sit over there I live in Rome

2 after some transitive verbs (e.g. lay place put) + object: He put his car in the garage

For the general position of adverbs in a sentence [> 1.3].

Kinds of adverbs

Many adverbs can be thought of as answering questions, such as How? [manner, > 7.7]; Where? [place, > 7.17]; When? [time, > 7.20]; How often? [frequency, > 7.37]; To what extent? [degree, > 7.41], Others 'strengthen' adjectives, other adverbs or verbs [intensifiers, > 7.50]; focus attention [focus, > 7.54]; reveal our attitudes, or help us to present information in a coherent fashion [viewpoint adverbs and connectives, > 7.57-58],

How to identify an adverb

7.3.1 One-word adverbs ending in '-ly'

A great many adverbs, particularly those of manner, are formed from adjectives by the addition of-/y: e.g.patient patiently. Some adverbs of frequency are also formed in this way: e.g. usual usually, as are a

The comparison of adverbs

few adverbs of degree: e.g. near, nearly. Many viewpoint adverbs end in -ly: e.g. fortunately.

7.3.2 One-word adverbs not ending in '-ly'

Many adverbs cannot be identified by their endings. These include adverbs of manner which have the same form as adjectives, e.g fast [> App 14]; adverbs of place {there); of time {then); of frequency {often); viewpoint adverbs {perhaps) and connectives (however).