SYNTAX 2

(textbook: English Syntax by Lynn Berk)

Chapter 4: MODIFICATION

Adverbs and adverbials (pp 185-188)

The presentation of this material in the book is rather confusing because: (a) adverbs
and adverbials are not differentiated, (b) similar information about degree adverbs is
scattered. It would be easier to understand the material if you follow the order of the
presentation below.

Adverbials
An adverbial is functional term and refer to the phrase (or a clause) that modifies the verb.
This verbal modifying element answers the question where, when, how, etc, because they
give info about the activity (coded by the verb). Because they are non-obligatory members of
the sentence structure (as are complements), they can be omitted and the sentence does not
become ungrammatical. As optional elements they are considered adjuncts (from the verb
add) as opposed to complements which complete the meaning of the verb.

FORM

Adverbials are realized by different forms: adverbs (adverb phrases, e.g. very often), PP (in
the morning), NP (yesterday) or adverbial clauses (temporal, purpose, result, reason,
concessive, conditional etc)

Linda briefly visited her cousin in the morning yesterday. (3 adverbials)

Linda briefly visited her cousin when she came in the morning yesterday.adverbials, one is an
adverb, the other- a temporal clause)

Do not confuse adverb and adverbial. Adverbs (form) are always adverbials, but adverbials
(function) may not be adverbs.

Recommended video (rather elementary but good for reviewing)

a) SYN128 - The Adverbial I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBKQox6M9Uc6:39

FUNCTION of adverbials (this is not in the book)

According to what they do in the clause they are divided into adjuncts, disjuncts and
conjuncts.

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  Adjuncts - modify the verb (the activity)
 Disjuncts – modify the whole sentence, they are sentence adverbials. (Unfortunately,
hopefully, luckily we will have to leave soon)
 Conjuncts – connect a sentence to the previous text within the paragraph. They are
textual cohesive devices (however, yet, therefore, on the one hand, finally, etc). They
belong to the text to the sentence.

We will talk about disjuncts and conjuncts later.

Recommended video (very good, but there are 3 not 4 classes of adverbial)

b) SYN128 - The Adverbial II

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Legbxk__7NU

ADVERBS

They are divided into two groups:

 Verbal modifiers - Those that modify the verb and therefore belong to adverbials
 Degree modifiers - Those that increase or decrease the property of a word that they
precede. This property is coded in an adjective, adverb and rarely verb.
Accordingly, they are divided into intensifiers and downtoners. (p 185-186)

Intensifiers: very, too, really, just, absolutely, incredibly, rather,…etc

Before an adjective: very/ really/ absolutely/ rather/ pretty nice

Before an adverb: very/ really/ absolutely/ rather/ pretty nicely

Before a verb: really/ absolutely/ rather enjoyed the food (p.187)

Downtoners: a kind of, a sort of, a little, somewhat

Before an adverb: He dances pretty/ sort of well

Before an adjective: She is a bit/somewhat crazy.

Before a verb: It will hurt a bit. I was somewhat annoyed.

Recommended videos:

a) Everyday Grammar: Downtoners

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkGi-4YlQSI

b) Intensifiers (Amplifiers) This video is rather elementary, but draws your attention to the
appropriate choice

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_0TZvjYQE

LIMITERS should be distinguished from intensifiers (p188)

e.g. The polysemy of the adverb just

Intensifier: I just love it!

Limiter: I just/only spoke to him! (I did not do anything else, can be replaced nu onl)

Temporal adverbial: I just spoke to him, he is still here.