1/3/2021 Functions of Adverbs | Guide to Writing

Guide to Writing

Module 1: Grammar

Functions of Adverbs

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Adverbs can perform a wide range of

functions: they can modify verbs, adjectives,
and even other adverbs. They can come
either before or after the word they modify. In
the following examples, adverbs are in bold,
while the words they modify are in italics (the
quite handsome man):

The desk is made of an especially corrosion-resistant industrial

steel.

The power company uses huge generators which are generally

turned by steam turbines.

Jaime won the race, because he ran quickly.

This fence was installed sloppily. It needs to be redone.

An adverb may provide information about the manner, place, time,

frequency, certainty, or other circumstances of the activity indicated by
the verb. Some examples, where again the adverb is in bold and the
words modi ed are in italics:

Suzanne sang loudly (loudly modi es the verb sang, indicating the
manner of singing)

We left it here (here modi es the verb phrase left it, indicating
place)

I worked yesterday (yesterday modi es the verb worked,

indicating time)

He undoubtedly did it (undoubtedly modi es the verb phrase did

it, indicating certainty)

You often make mistakes (often modi es the verb phrase make
mistakes, indicating frequency)

They can also modify noun phrases, prepositional phrases, or whole

clauses or sentences, as in the following examples. Once again the
adverbs are in bold, while the words they modify are in italics.

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I bought only the fruit (only modi es the noun phrase the fruit)

Roberto drove us almost to the station (almost modi es the

prepositional phrase to the station)

Certainly we need to act (certainly modi es the sentence as a

whole)

PRACTICE

Identify the adverbs in these paragraphs:

Mass extinctions are insanely catastrophic—but important

—events that punctuate the history of life on Earth. The
Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary was originally thought of to
represent a mass extinction, but has subsequently been
“downgraded” to a minor extinction event based on new
discoveries.

However, compared to other important stratigraphic

boundaries, like the end-Triassic or the end-Cretaceous,
the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary remains really poorly
understood.
Show Answer

Intensi ers and Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs can also be used as modi ers of adjectives, and of other

adverbs, often to indicate degree. Here are a few examples:

You are quite right (the adverb quite modi es the adjective right)

Milagros is exceptionally pretty (the adverb exceptionally modi es

the adjective pretty)

She sang very loudly (the adverb very modi es another adverb—
loudly)

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Wow! You ran really quickly! (the adverb really modi es another
adverb—quickly)

Other intensi ers include mildly, pretty, slightly, etc.

This video provides more discussion and examples of intensi ers:

…e | The parts of speech | Grammar | Khan Academy

Adverbs may also undergo comparison, taking comparative and

superlative forms. This is usually done by adding more and most before
the adverb (more slowly, most slowly). However, there are a few adverbs
that take non-standard forms, such as well, for which better and best are
used (i.e., “He did well, she did better, and I did best“).

Note: When using intensi ers alongside the adverb also, also
should always appear rst: “He also really loved pie” is correct,
while “He really also loved pie” is not.

VERY

Some people are of the opinion that the words very and really
indicate weak writing. You’ve probably seen lists of adjectives
to use instead of these adverbs (along with an adjective).
While this can be true in some cases (enormous or gigantic

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would probably serve better than “really big”), very and really
aren’t terrible words. As in most cases, you just need to be
conscious of your choices. When you use these adverbs,
pause and see if there’s a better way to word what you’re
saying.

Relative Adverbs

Relative adverbs are a subclass of adverbs that deal with space, time,
and reason. In this video, David gives a quick intro to the three most
common relative adverbs: when, where, and why.

…s | The parts of speech | Grammar | Khan Academy

As we just learned, we can use these adverbs to connect ideas about

where, when, and why things happen.

PRACTICE

Read the following questions and turn them into statements

using relative adverbs:

. Where did Nina last see her keys?

. When are the repairmen going to get here?

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. Why did the desk just collapse?

Show Answer

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