Adverbials

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Table of contents
1 Adverbials.............................................................................................................................2
1.1 Concept of adverbial....................................................................................................2
1.2 Adverbials vs adverbs...................................................................................................2
1.3 Adverbs........................................................................................................................3
1.4 Classification of adverbials: adjuncts, disjuncts and conjuncts.....................................5
1.4.1 Adjunts(integrated)..............................................................................................5
1.4.2 Disjuncts(peripherical)..........................................................................................5
1.4.3 Conjuncts(peripherical)........................................................................................6
1.5 Morphology of adverbials (making adverbials)............................................................6
1.5.1 Adverb phrases.....................................................................................................6
1.5.2 Noun phrases (usually adverbials of time)............................................................6
1.5.3 Prepositional phrases...........................................................................................6
1.5.4 Finite clauses........................................................................................................7
1.5.5 No-Finite clauses..................................................................................................8
1.6 Position of adverbials...................................................................................................9
1.6.1 End position........................................................................................................10
1.6.2 Front position.....................................................................................................10
1.6.3 Mid position........................................................................................................11

1
1 Adverbials
1.1 Concept of adverbial
The elements in sentence structure are:

 Subject.
 Verb.
 Object.
 Complement.
 Adverbial.

Peter opened the box with care

in a careful way
carefully
S V OD A

Adverbials give us extra information about the verb. The definition of adverbial:

Any construction which modifies or describes a verb phrase is an adverbial.

They mainly answer the questions:

Question Adverbial
How? Manner
How much? Degree
When? Time
How often? Frequency
Where? Place
Reason
Why? Purpose
Result

Look at these four sentences:

Mary spoke to me carefully how -> adverb

They went on holiday last year when-> noun phrase

My friends are sitting on the sofa where-> prepositional phrase

I don’t have a car because I don’t need it why/reason->subordinate clause

1.2 Adverbials vs adverbs

The term adverb refers to a class of words in English which function as adverbials.

For example, all the words underlined in these sentences are adverbs and they are all
functioning as adverbials (because that's one of the things that adverbs do):

Mary slowly went into the roommanner

We study hard everyday definite frecuency

 I will visit you tomorrow time

You can find the doll upstairs place

I can hardly walk degree

Many adverbs in English are formed by adding -ly to the adjective (slow → slowly etc.) but as
the last four examples show, this is not always the case and adverbs cannot always be
recognised by what they look like or even what they mean.  We have to see what they do.

The point to remember is:

adverbs are all adverbials but adverbials are not all adverbs.

1.3 Adverbs
An adverb is a single word that modifies others “parts of speech” so they can do various
syntactical functions:

a verb As a adverbial My sister swims badly

Premodifier The food is quite good
an adjective
Postmodifier The food isn’t good enough
Premodifier, working as usually as He drives this car very fast.
another
intensifier or downtoner
adverbdegree
Postmodifier Enough
Prepositional The car crashes right against
Premodifier
phrase the wall
Premodifier, Determiner working as Over fifty people came to the
Determiner
quantifier party
Nearly everyone came to the
Pronoun Premodifier
party
Out of -> prepplace Get out of here
Complement of Up down-> prepplace The ball dropped down there
preposition Before-> preptime it was before yesterday
Until -> preptime She hasn’t come until now
It’s quite a lot of money
quite
A noun phrase Quite a surprise
such Such a funny story
or even a whole Fortunately, I had enough
disjunt
sentence. money

Adverbs typically express:

 Manner
 Place
 time
 frequency
 degree.

answering questions such as:

 how?
 where?
  when?
 How often?
 how much?
 to what extent?

For example ‘My sister swims badly.’ The verb in this sentence is “swims”, and this has been
modified with the adverb badly. They may also modify an adjective to add further information,
such as ‘The food is quite good.” In this sentence, the adjective good has been modified by the
adverb quite. Finally, an adverb can be used to modify an entire sentence, for example
‘Fortunately, I had enough money.’ In this example, we see that the adverb fortunately
modifies the rest of the sentence in its entirety.

For the most part, an adverb will end in the letters -ly, however, there are some exceptions to
this such as the word fast, hard, late.

This is a fast car

He drives this car fast.

In the first sentence, the word fast is being used as an adjective, however, in the second, it is
being used as an adverb. Let’s take a look at some further examples of adverbs within a
sentence.

My sister swims badly.

My brother never goes to bed before me.

Fortunately, my friends were not late for my birthday party.

MANNER PLACE TIME FREQUENCY DEGREE

How? Where? When? How often? How much?
To what extent?
quietly Above-below Today- always Very-extremely
yesterday-
tomorrow
Loudly (loud) Here-there Soon-later usually Completely-
absolutely
slowly Inside-outside Already-yet-still sometimes enough
Fast (quickly) Forwards- tonight occasionally quite
backwards
badly Indoors- Before-after rarely Pretty
outdoors
well Before-behind then seldom Rather
happily In-on-under Last year, Hardly ever fairly
month
sadly Up-down never Hardly-Slightly-
little
1.4 Classification of adverbials: adjuncts, disjuncts and conjuncts

1.4.1 Adjunts(integrated)
Adjuncts are integrated into the sentence but their removal leaves a well-formed and
understandable sentence although we lose some information.

Technically, some analysts see an adjunct as anything in a clause which can be removed to
leave a well-formed sentence. So, for example, in:

Last week she went on holiday

We have two adjuncts: last week and on holiday, which can be removed to leave:

She went

Others will include adjectives and other items as adjuncts because they, too, can often be
removed without the result being a malformed sentence. Here, because we are concerned
with adverbials, which, by definition modify verb phrases, we will mostly confine the term
adjunct to any adverbial which modifies the verb phrase in some way and which is an integral ,
though not obligatory, part of the clause. We will also consider as adjuncts adverbials which
modify adjectives and other adverbs but that is a lesser focus in what follows.

A simple test for adjuncts is to try fronting them:

We can front an adjunct in a positive declarative sentence so we allow, e.g.:

Slowly, she drove away

but we cannot front an adjunct in a negative declarative clause so we do not allow:

*Slowly, she didn't drive.

1.4.2 Disjuncts(peripherical)
Disjuncts are comment and viewpoint adverbials. Disjuncts are used to evaluate the form or
the content of what is said. They occur outside the clause structure itself. Removing them
leaves a well-formed sentence or clause but we lose the speaker's viewpoint. In this case,
compare:

He didn't seem obviously happy

where we have an adjunct giving us some extra information about the adjective . That is to say,
it is the adverb acting to modify the adjective in the usual way.

However, in:
 Obviously, he didn't seem happy

we have a disjunct expressing the speaker's attitude to the proposition that he didn't seem
happy. The speaker is implying that he or she believes the proposition to be true.

Disjuncts frequently come in front position before the clause to which they refer but, but they
don't have to.

For effect, in speaking, we insert a pause after a disjunct and that can be represented by
punctuation in writing. For example:

Patently, John was not interested.

As the examples in this bit show, we can front disjuncts in negative declarative sentences.

1.4.3 Conjuncts(peripherical)
Conjuncts are also outside the clause structure and connect ideas in sentences or between
sentences or paragraphs. The sentence:

He isn't happy. However, he gets on with life

The word However is still a conjunct. Some conjuncts are conjunctions.

Like disjuncts, too, but unlike adjuncts, conjuncts may be fronted in negative declarative
sentences and clauses so we can allow, e.g.:

My train was late. Consequently, I didn't get in time to the meeting.

1.5 Morphology of adverbials (making adverbials)

It is quite commonly assumed that adverbs are the most important class of adverbials. Adverbs
and adverb phrases, such as slowly or very quickly, only constitute around 20 % of adverbials.

By far the most frequent way of making adverbials in English, over half, is via a prepositional
phrase such as to the door, over the hill, before the meeting and so on.

The rest around 30 % are divided up between non-finite to-infinitive clauses, noun phrases,
non-finite -ing and -ed / -en clauses and finite clauses.

1.5.1 Adverb phrases

The car run very fast

We have to do it right now

Once a week, I go to the cinema

1.5.2 Noun phrases (usually adverbials of time)

Last night, I went to a party.

You should brush your teeth every night

1.5.3 Prepositional phrases

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that consists of a preposition, its complement
(which will be a noun, noun phrase or a pronoun), and any words that modify the object
(modifiers). For example:

The genie from the brass lamp granted 3 wishes.

The prepositional phrases “from the brass lamp” is functioning as an adjective; it’s describing
the subject “the genie”.

Note that not all prepositional phrases are functioning as adjectives. Some of them may
function as adverbs.

Time At/In/on/by/before/after/as She came in time to watch the game

soon as/within/for/during
Place At/In/on/by/before/
behind/under/in front
of/next to/…
Let’s meet after the match.
He wants to have his own brand in the next 3
years.
If you start listening to English, your listening
and speaking skills will improve within a few
months.
We will reach out to you as soon as possible.
You can call me at any time.
Let’s meet in the evening.
Before long, she prepared the meal
We used to fight behind our school.
Don’t wait for me; I’ll see you at the station
directly.
He lives by the police station.
Some people are fighting in front of my house.
Jimmy is hiding under the bed.
She could hide behind the curtains too.
Joey smacked him in the face and knocked him
out.
Last night, she kissed me on the lips. It was
beautiful.

Manner With/in/like/…. Max answered my call in a low voice.

The runner got the award with pride
Jenny opened the box with care
You need to behave like a grown-up man.
Reason Because of/due to I woke up this morning because of the noise
contrast Despite/in spite of/… I went out despite the rain

1.5.4 Finite clauses

CPE Unit 13

https://englishwithashish.com/adverb-clause/
In finite clauses, the verb expresses tense. They are subordinating clauses linked to the main
clause and can be placed before and after the main clause.

Time when/while/as/before/after/ I will get up tomorrow when the sun rises

until/as soon as/by the time… Keep doing that until I tell you to stop
Place where/everywhere/ He went again where she had had the
somewhere/anywhere accident a few years ago.
Manner as if/as thought/like You eat as if the world were to explode
Reason because/since/as/for She left the job because she was
disappointed with the new boss.
Purpose in order to/ in order that /so I’m studying hard in order to pass the exam
that/so I’m studying hard in order that/so that I
could pass the exam
Result so that/so/ I have some relatives at home so that I can’t
go out with you
Condition if/unless/as long as/so long If you do your homework, I will let you go
as/provided that out
You are not allowed to go out unless you do
your homework
Contrast although/though/even though I couldn´t sleep although I was very tired
despite the fact that/in spite of I was very tired. I couldn´t sleep thoughconjunct
the fact that Even though I was very tired, I couldn´t sleep

1.5.5 No-Finite clauses

1.5.5.1 Infinitive clauses (mainly purpose-> in order to)
I’m studying hard to pass the exam purpose

She called me last night to ask for a favor. purpose

65A-65C

When modifying and adjective -> usually they are the reason of the adjective:

It is difficult to understand

Do you think the water is safe to drink?

I’m sorry to hear your father passed away

She is surprised to see me again

1.5.5.2 Participle clauses

CPE Unit 15

Same subject in both clauses.

1.5.5.2.1 Present participle (time+reason)

We can use them to talk about something that takes place at the same time or before, the
action in the main clause.

While I was recording the video, I got a call from her.

Recording the video, I got a call from her time time

 Because I was working on an important thing, I had to cancel the plan.

Working on an important thing, I had to cancel the plan.reason

1.5.5.2.2 Past participle (reason+condition)

We can use them to talk about reason (and conditions)

She left the job because she was disappointed with the new boss

Disappointed with the new boss, she left the job reason

If the glasses were branded new, I would wear them happily

Branded new, I would wear the glasses happily condition

1.6 Position of adverbials

Position Type of adverb Remarks Examples

Place Front -> for emphasis, focus or
Time contrast
Daily, weekly…
End
Definite frequency Front -> for emphasis or focus (only Once a week…
phrases)
Manner Don’t break verb+object
Connecting To make clear the relation to the As a result, in
adverbsconjuncts previous sentence addiction, however
Comment, To highlight the speaker’s attitude Honestly, naturally,
viewpointdisjuncts to what they are going to say fortunately,
Front basically
Time For emphasis, focus or contrast
Place
Definite frequency Front -> for emphasis or focus (only Once a week…
phrases)
Never, sometimes,
usually, hardly
ever…
Indefinite frequency
Adverbial phrases -> front, end From time to time,
as a rule, every
Mid now and then
Degree Quite, hardly,
almost…
Manner Don’t break verb+object
Indefinite time End Still, already
Order of events First, last, next I first met her in…

There are three main positions for adverbs which modify a verb:
  End position.
 Front position.
 Mid position.

1.6.1 End position

*The adverb is placed after the verb, either immediately after or later in the clause.
Peter opened the box slowly manner-> don’t break Verb + object

Peter opened the box slowly with his hands not the last word

That car runs very fast manner

*End position is usual for adverbs of place, definite frecuencyindefinite->mid and definite time.
We study hard every day definite frecuency

I will visit you tomorrow time

You can find the doll upstairs place

*When there is more than 1 adverb in end position, the usual order is manner+place+time

In the accident, she was thrown violently forwards manner+place

Sarah gave me a lift back home after the party place+time

*If one adverbial is much longer than another then it is placed last:

He left the meeting at 5 PM time with a glance of disappointment manner

1.6.2 Front position

At the beginning of the clause.

*Connecting adverbs-> To make clear the relation to the previous sentence

However, the report is also available

On the other hand, New York may also be a good place for vacation

*Comment, viewpoint -> To highlight the speaker’s attitude to what they are going to say

Fortunately, I got the tickets for the festival on time

Naturally, I was willing to help

*Place and time -> for emphasis, focus or contrast

Tomorrow I will visit youtime

Upstairs you can find the dollplace

*Definite frequency-> only phrases -> for emphasis

Once a week I go to the cinema definite frecuency

1.6.3 Mid position
The adverb is placed between the subject and the verb (before the verb), immediately after
“be” as a main verb or after the first auxiliary verb.

He usually plays the guitar at school indeninite frecuency

Peter slowly opened the box manner

We were almost the first team to finish the work degree

I can hardly walk degree

We have already done our homework indefinite time