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What is an Adverb?

What is an Adverb?

20th November 2021 CHALLA Comments Off

What is an Adverb?

What is an Adverb?

Definition:

An adverb is a part of speech that modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. 

Adverbs that modify Verb:

Examples:

  • Rekha studies sincerely
  • He works hard.
  • They shouted loudly.
  • It was arranged beautifully.
  • The boy is walking slowly.
  • Please, enter it carefully.
  • He is behaving rudely.

 

Adverbs that modify Adjective:

Examples:

  • Rekha is a very sincere student.
  • This topic is extremely important.
  • They are really talented.
  • This picnic spot is so attractive.
  • They are rarely careful.
  • The weather is too hot.
  • This software is totally useless.

Adverbs that modify another Adverb:

Examples:

  • Rekha studies very sincerely. 
  • The flowers were arranged highly artistically.
  • He works really hard.
  • Ashwini runs extremely fast.
  • She speaks so rudely.
  • These picnic spots are surprisingly far. 
  • She sings quite melodiously.

Sometimes, the Adverbs also modify the whole sentence:

 

The adverbs that modify the entire sentence are called Sentence Adverbs.

Examples:

  • Fortunately, admissions are still open.
  • Probably, he will write the story next month.
  • Unfortunately, he missed the interview.
  • Generally, students who work hard will get good grades.
  • Certainly, she is right.

 

Adverb Phrase and Adverb Clause

The Adverb Phrase and the Adverb Clause also function like Adverbs and modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb.

Adverb Phrase – As a modifier

An Adverb Phrase is a group of two or more words that functions as a modifier like an adverb. This means it modifies the meaning of an adjective, a verb or another adverb.

Most of the Adverb Phrases begin with a preposition and answer the question of ‘How’, ‘Where’, ‘Why’ or ‘When’

Examples:

  • They did everything with care.
  • He replied with full confidence.
  • He accepted the proposal somewhat hesitantly.
  • You have to handle the youth with patience.
  • The children are enjoying the circus sitting in the front row.
  • Jim loves to travel around the world.
  • He lived in North India.
  • You can buy them online for a cheaper price.
  • He decided to continue in the same job to get the incentive.
  • Let’s conclude the discussion to end the controversy.
  • Can you call me this evening?
  • The farmers are hurrying to finish the work before sunset.
  • After some time, I shall call you.
  • Leave the place as soon as possible.

Adverb Clause – As a modifier

An Adverb Clause is a group of words that functions as a modifier like an adverb. This means it modifies the meaning of an adjective, a verb or another adverb.

This clause answers the question of ‘When’, ‘Where’, ‘How, ‘To what extent’, or ‘Under what conditions’.

This clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Some of the subordinating conjunctions include: After, although, as, as long as, as soon as, because, before, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, wherever, where, while.

Examples:

  • I was so surprised when I saw my friend at the station.
  • All the students kept quiet after she had started the lesson.
  • My friend will come to the place where we met yesterday.
  • Although he studied well, he failed in the exam 
  • He did not attend the meeting because he was ill.
  • I saw her while I was going to college.
  • If he helps me, I can surely help him.
  • Unless you run fast, you can not catch the train.

Note:

All the words that end in ‘-ly’ are not adverbs

Most of the adverbs end in ‘-ly.’  We generally make these adverbs by adding ‘-ly’ to adjectives.

But all the words that end in ‘-ly’ are not adverbs. Some adjectives also end in ‘-ly’. 

Find the words that end in ‘-ly’ and used as adjectives in the following sentences.

 

For example: 

  • The rose is a lovely flower. 
  • He is a friendly man.  
  • He is not single.  But he feels lonely.
  • This is an ugly painting my brother has ever painted.
  • The festivals are holy days for all religious people.