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.