The Adverbial and Adverbial Complement

Another functional constituent that suggests a copular relationship

with some other clause constituent is the adverbial complement. It
occurs only in explicit copular relationships referring to the subject,
as in

Liz (S) is in the park. (AC) SVA

or in implicit copular relationships referring to the object, as in

I put the cookies (DO) in the pantry (AC). SVOA

The adverbial complement referring to the object can be

paraphrased in a SVC clause, as in

The cookies (S) are in the pantry (AC).

ADVERBIAL COMPLEMENTS occur only in those two positions.

ADVERBIALS on the other hand are not usually as restricted in
position or in reference.

To understand more about these last two functions, we should

learn to identify adverbials in general by their form, position,
and meaning.

Form. The adverbial is normally an adverb phrase,

prepositional phrase, or a clause. Occasionally, a noun phrase
can function as an adverbial.

Later (A), I will finish the book.

In the afternoon (A), I will finish the book.

When I get home (A), I will finish the book.

Next week (A), I will finish the book.

Position. As we have seen above, the adverbial can occur in many

different positions with a clause. The adverbial may be at the
beginning (clause-initial), in the middle (clause-medial), or at the
end (clause-final). Indeed, even its clause-medial position reveals
an enormous degree of "flexibility."

Frankly (A), John was disappointed. [initial]

John, frankly (A), was disappointed. [medial]

John was, frankly (A), disappointed. [medial]

John was disappointed, frankly (A). [Final]

(By contrast, we know that the adverbial complement is restricted

in its position to follow either a copular verb or an object.)

Further we should note that not all the adverbials in English are as
"mobile" as the example above. Though, generally speaking,
adverbials do give the speaker the greatest degree of positional
choice of all the clause constituents.

Meaning. The adverbial conveys a definable, but wide-ranging, set

of meanings.

Yesterday (A), Ted left. [time]

If possible (A), ring me later. [contingency]

The book fell on the floor (A). [place]

If it rains (A), we'll leave later. [condition]

Although he's young (A), he's good. [concession]

While she slept (A), I worked. [contrast]

I would go, except I can't (A). [exception]

Knowing her (A), I chose a red one. [reason]

To open the lock (A), tug on the door. [purpose]

I fed the stray, to gain its trust (A). [result]

The dog obeyed, as instructed (A). [comparison]

I would fight, rather than quit (A). [preference]

Ankara, I believe (A), is the capital. [comment]

Finally, we should remember one last, but important, difference

between the adverbial and all other functional constituents: THE
ADVERBIAL IS THE OPTIONAL CONSTITUENT; it can be left out
of the clause; ALL OTHERS ARE OBLIGATORY.

© 1995, 2015 Daniel Kies. All rights reserved.