Faculty of Law and Political Sciences/Guelma -- Political sciences Department --

Academic year: 2019/2020

Adverbs:

Adverbs: describe verbs and modify adjectives and other adverbs. Adverbs, unlike adjectives,
do not modify nouns. Adverbs can also modify phrases, clauses, and sentences. Adverbs
answer one of the following questions: When? Where? Why? How? Under what conditions?
and To what extent?

Example: The teacher had to speak loudly to be heard over the children. (Loudly
modifies the verb speak.) The children were really bad during the
movie. (Really modifies the adjective bad.) John approached the wounded
dog very slowly. (Very modifies the adverb slowly.) Clearly, Sarah did not
understand the directions. (Clearly modifies the sentence.) The box is still
below the stairs. (Still modifies the phrase “below the stairs.”)

Types of Adverbs:

Adverbs of Time:

An adverb of time answers the question When? Adverbs of time include: after, always,
before, during, early, later, never, now, often, rarely, recently, sometimes, soon,
then, today, tomorrow, usually, yesterday, etc.

Example: John will attend the soccer game after he finishes his homework.
(After answers the question: When will John attend the soccer game?)

Adverbs of Manner:

An adverb of manner answers the question How? Adverbs of manner include: badly,
beautifully, better, bravely, cheerfully, fast, hard, quickly, slowly, inadequately,
healthy, well, etc.

Example: Sarah slowly walked over the rocky beach. (Slowly answers the
question: How did Sarah walk?)
Adverbs of Place:

An adverb of place answers the question Where? Adverbs of place include: above,
away, below, down, here, inside, near, outside, there, up, etc.

Example: Susan placed the boxes above the file cabinet. (Above answers the question: Where
did Susan place the boxes?)

Adverbs of Degree:

An adverb of degree answers the question How much? It describes the strength and
intensity at which something happens. Adverbs of degree include: almost, completely,
enough, entirely, extremely, hardly, just, little, much, nearly, quite, rather, very,
too, etc.

Example: John worked very hard to complete his part of the project. (Very
answers the question: How hard did John work?)

Adverbs of Frequency:
An adverb of frequency answers the question How often? Adverbs of frequency
include: always, never, usually, frequently, occasionally, rarely, seldom, sometimes,
etc.

Example: Bob always forgets to check his email before class begins.
(Before answers the question: How often does Bob forget to check
his email?)
Interrogative Adverbs:
An interrogative adverb introduces a question. Interrogative adverbs are usually placed
at the beginning of the sentence. Interrogative adverbs include: how, when, why, and
where.
Example: When will John’s plane arrive from Atlanta?

Conjunctive Adverbs:
Conjunctive adverbs serve as transitional words, joining and relating independent
clauses. Conjunctive adverbs include: accordingly, also, alternatively, certainly,
consequently, finally, nevertheless, moreover, previously, therefore, etc. For a list of
more conjunctive adverbs, refer to the Writing Center’s handout Common
Conjunctions.
 Example: We plan to leave early in the morning; therefore, we will go to
bed early.
Forming Adverbs:
Adding –ly to the end
Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective.
Example: clear/clearly hard/hardly
Irregular Adverbs:
Some adverbs do not use the –ly ending. These adverbs do not have a particular
form. Following is a list of some of the most common irregular adverbs: already, also,
always, here, never, not, now, often, quite, seldom, soon, still, then, there, too, very
well.
Adverb Placement :
Adverbs are flexible in their placement; therefore, they can be placed just about
anywhere within the sentence.
 At the beginning of a sentence or a clause
Example: Clearly, John has a problem arriving to work on time.
 At the end of a sentence or a clause
Example: Sarah and John attend the opera frequently.
 After the verb
Example: Bob and John have always participated in the soccer tournament.
 Between the subject and the verb
Example: Sarah rarely forgets to call home when she is out late.