Made by Beatrix Xénia Szabó

05.05.2016

Adverbs and adverbial phrases

What’s an adverb?

 Adverb:
 a word used for describing a verb (an action) –
e.g., he walks slowly,
 an adjective – e.g., it’s incredibly expensive,
 another adverb, or a whole sentence – he works
very hard..
 Adverbs in English often consist of an
adjective with „-ly” added, for example
„quickly”, „mainly,” and „cheerfully.”
Adverbs of manner

 Describe how somebody does something.

 They usually go AFTER the verb or verb
phrase, however, with passive verbs they
usually go in mid-position (before the main
verb but after an auxiliary verb).
 He runs very fast.
 The driver was seriously injured.
Adverbs of frequency
 Go before the main verb but after the verb to be.
 I hardly ever have time for breakfast. (almost never)
 Liam’s always late for work.
 Karen realized that she was never going to learn to drive.
 Sometimes, usually, and normally can also be put at
the beginning of the phrase or sentence for emphasis.
 If there are two auxiliary verbs, the adverb goes
after the first one.
 I would never have thought you were 40.
Adverbs of time and place ….

 Usually go at the end of a sentence or clause.

 Place adverbs usually go before time adverbs.
(PLACE, TIME)
 My parents will be here in half an hour.
 My parents will be in half an hour here.
Adverbs of degree
 Describe how much something is done, or modify an
adjective.
 Extremely, incredibly, very, etc., are used with adjectives
and adverbs and go before them.
▪ We’re incredibly tired.
 A lot and much are often used with verbs and go after the
verb or verb phrase.
▪ My husband works a lot, but he doesn’t earn much.
 A little/a little bit can be used before adjectives or after
verbs, e.g.,
▪ I’m a little tired.
▪ We rested a little bit after the flight.
Comment adverbs

 Which give the speaker’s opinion

 Usually go at the beginning of a sentence or
clause.
 Unfortunately, the package never arrived.
 Ideally, we should leave here at 10:00.
 Other common comment adverbs are luckily,
basically, clearly, obviously, apparently,
eventually, etc.
Other adverbs

 Most other adverbs go in mid-position, e.g.,

 I just need ten more minutes.
 I almost forgot to go to class.
 I’m nearly finished with my work.
 She didn’t even say goodbye.
 She’ll probably come in the end.
Before the main verb.
Adverbial Quiz! What kind of adverb is it? (Manner,
frequency, time and place, degree or comment?)

1. Immediately 1. Time
2. Unfortunately 2. Comment
3. Incredibly 3. Degree
4. Shouted angrily 4. Manner
5. Normally 5. Frequency
6. Slightly 6. Degree
7. Last month 7. Time
8. A lot 8. Degree
9. Eventually 9. Comment
10. Here 10. Place
 Adverbial Quiz
Correct the following sentences.

1. She liked very much the present. 1. She liked the present very much .
2. Mark came last night very late 2. Mark came home very late last
home. night.
3. A young man was injured badly 3. A young man was badly injured
and was taken to the hospital. and was taken to the hospital.
4. She’s lazy a little bit about doing 4. She’s a little bit lazy about doing
her homework. her homework.
5. I forgot your birthday almost, but 5. I almost forgot your birthday, but
fortunately my sister reminded fortunately my sister reminded
me. me.
6. We luckily had taken an umbrella 6. Luckily we had taken an umbrella
because it started to rain just after because it started to rain just after
we left. we left.
7. Jack has been apparently fired. 7. Apparently Jack has been fired.
Confusing adverbs and adverbial
phrases HARD ~ HARDLY?
 He works very hard – he’s very persistent.
 It’s incredibly dark. I can hardly see anything.

What’s the difference? What is the meaning of these

adverbs?

HARD: very much, needing a lot of effort

HARDLY: almost NOT
LATE ~ LATELY?

 I don’t like when my mother arrives late for the

dinner.
 I haven’t seen Larissa lately. She must work a lot.
What’s the difference?

 LATE: not being on time.

 LATELY: these days, nowadays, recently.
At the end ~ in the end?

 At the end of the class we always get the

homework.
 It took me two years, but in the end I passed
my driving test.
What’s the difference?
 At the end: when something has finished, e.g.,
at the end of the class / movie etc.
 In the end: eventually, after a period of time or
series of events or difficulties.
ESPECIALLY ~ SPECIALLY?

 I love all kinds of sport, but especially Thai-

Chi.
 My graduation dress was specially made for
me by a dressmaker.
What’s the difference?
 ESPECIALLY: above all (principalmente)
 SPECIALLY: in a particular way or a particular
purpose, only used with a participle, e.g., It’s a
specially designed umbrella. (exclusivamente)
ACTUALLY ~ RIGHT NOW?

 He looks older than me, but actually he is

two years younger.
 Right now we’re sharing an apartment, but
hoping to move soon.

 ACTUALLY: IN FACT
 RIGHT NOW: now
NEARLY ~ NEAR?

 I’ve nearly done my homework. I’m on the

last page.
 Sorry madam, do you know if there is a bank
near here?
What’s the difference?
 NEARLY: almost
 NEAR: close
STILL~YET?

 He hasn’t found a job yet.

 He still hasn’t found a job.

What’s the difference?

 YET: goes at the end of a phrase

 STILL: in the mid position
EVER ~ EVEN?

 Have you ever been to the US?

 I’ve been all over the US– I’ve even been to
Alaska.
What’s the difference?

 EVER: at any time in the past, present or

future
 EVEN: used for showing that you are saying
something that is SURPRISING.
Resources

 Macmillan English Dictionary

 Longman Dicionárió Escolar
 American English File 4A