Adverb Definition, Kinds, and Examples in Detail

 

What is an Adverb?

An adverb is defined as a part of speech that qualifies another adverb, verb, adjective, determiner, preposition, clause, or sentence.

Most adverbs end with –ly, but many adverbs act as an adverb, but their form of the word is the same as an adjective (they also don’t end with –ly).

Adverbial functions: 

A word or a group of words (phrases or clauses) which performs certain functions such as it informs about time, place, manner, level of certainty, etc. These functions are called adverbial functions. Adverbs in the English language have vast functions.

Examples of Adverbs

Answering it how happened? Shortly, slowly, proudly, quickly, peacefully, fortunately, delightfully, anxiously, briskly, brutally, randomly, etc.

Answering when it happened? Regularly, often, lastly, firstly, yesterday, now, first, last, etc.

Answering where it happened? Upstairs, downwards, in, inside, outside, there, here, etc.

Examples of adverbs in sentences

  • As he hit the ball, the ball immediately moved out of the ground.
  • Malden regularly goes to the university.
  • The police searched a lot but nothing was found there.
  • Fortunately, he prepared for the test.
  • Julia beautifully sketched my picture.

6 Types of Adverbs in English Grammar

  • Adverbs of Place
  • Adverbs of Manner
  • Adverbs of Degree
  • Adverbs of Time, Frequency
  • Conjunctive Adverbs
  • Sentence Adverbs

1. Adverbs of Place

The adverb of place is a type of adverb which tells about the location where an action takes place. They also point out the path of the action in the sentence by answering the query “ where does the action occur?”. 

Mostly, they don’t qualify adjectives or other adverbs. The various adverbs of place enable us to clarify the precise location of an action.

Examples: 

  • Everywhere, nearby, outside, about, above, across, ahead, anywhere, back, below, down, elsewhere, far, East, eastwards, westwards, homewards, upwards, downwards, uphill, up, onwards, here, there, somewhere, anywhere, through, etc.

2. Adverbs of Manner

Adverb of manner tells us about the manner/style/way/mode/method/approach/comportment of the action.

Most adverbs of manner end with -ly. This is also a technique by which we can recognize an adverb and we can also differentiate it from adjectives in general cases.

Examples:

  • Beautifully, truthfully, happily, politely, decently, practically, jokingly, sincerely, diligently, simply, gently, lazily, wisely, intelligently, amazingly, dramatically, carefully, hotly, coldly, rapidly, slowly, hurriedly, adventurously, silently, suddenly, calmly, eagerly, furiously, etc.


3. Adverbs of Degree (How Much)

Adverbs of degree show the intensity/strength of the action in the sentence. These adverbs may intensify the action or weaken the action.

Examples:

  • Thoroughly, severely, wholly, totally, entirely, deeply, absolutely, extremely, enormously, greatly, highly, mostly, slightly, less, etc.

4. Adverbs of Time

An adverb of time tells the instance (how frequently action occurs) or duration of action in the sentence.

Examples:

  • Often, seldom, occasionally, forever, eventually, previously, lately, then, etc.

5. Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverb connects clauses with each other. They also show cause and effect, contrast, and sequence. We use semicolons before conjunctive adverbs and commas after that. 

Examples:
  • Norman was not available at that time; therefore, we postponed the meeting.

6. Sentence Adverbs

Sentence adverbs act as a comment that shows the view or attitude of the narrator in a particular condition. They act as a comment and refer to the whole sentence.

Examples:

  • Luckily, you arrived on time.  (It is lucky that you arrived on time)
  • Sadly, he is bankrupt now. (It is sad that he is bankrupt)


Grammar