Adverbs

What are Adverbs?

Adverbs are an essential part of speech that modify or describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide additional information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action is performed.

Types of Adverbs

There are seven types of adverbs. Let's understand it further:

1. Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of manner answer the question "how?" They tell us how an action is carried out. They can also express the degree or intensity of an action.

Examples:

→ The sunset painted the sky ineffably, creating a breathtaking panorama of colours that words couldn't capture.
→ His expression remained inscrutably calm, revealing no hint of the emotions swirling beneath the surface.
→ She gazed out of the window pensively, lost in deep contemplation as the raindrops tapped softly against the glass.
→ He inadvertently insulted her with his thoughtless comment, unaware of the impact his words had on her.
→ She danced exquisitely, gracefully gliding across the stage with every movement perfectly synchronised.

2. Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of time modify verbs to indicate when an action takes place. They provide more information about the timing of an event or action.

Examples:

→ The concert and the art exhibition ended simultaneously.
→ The rain fell incessantly throughout the night.
→ I'm sick of living in chaos, so I'm going to clean my house tomorrow.
→ The train invariably arrives at the station five minutes late.
→ The invention of the internet marked an epochal shift in communication.
→ He balanced precariously on the edge of the cliff.
→ Robin Hood swindled the Sheriff of Nottingham yesterday.

3. Adverbs of Place/ Location

Adverbs of place or location provide information about where an action takes place. They help answer the question "where."

Examples:

→ The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted ubiquitously through the quaint village bakery.
→ The elusive comet appeared ephemeral, visible only from a remote observatory in the southern hemisphere.
→ The skyscrapers soared perpendicularly into the sky, creating a breathtaking cityscape.
→ The spy slipped surreptitiously into the secure facility, avoiding all surveillance cameras.
→ The palace was opulently decorated with gold leaf, velvet drapes, and intricate marble statues.

4. Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate the intensity or degree of an action, quality, or manner.

Examples: 

→ The lecture on quantum physics was profoundly challenging for the students.
→ His dedication to the project was unquestionably evident in the final product.
→ The VIP lounge was exclusively reserved for distinguished guests.
→ The technological advancements in the last decade have been unprecedentedly rapid.
→ She felt inordinately anxious before the important interview.
→ The chef's culinary skills were surpassingly exquisite, leaving everyone in awe.

5. Adverbs of Quantity

Adverbs of quantity modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to express the extent, degree, or amount of the action or state described. 

Examples: 

→ She was exceedingly happy with her exam results.
→ The shopkeeper had scarcely enough stock to last the week.
→ The new software virtually eliminates the possibility of errors.
→ The garden was abundantly filled with colourful flowers.
→ He arrived precisely at the scheduled time for the meeting.
→ The rare bird was conspicuously perched on the highest branch of the tree.

6. Adverbs of Attitude

Adverbs of attitude, also known as adverbs of manner or adverbs of mood, describe how an action is performed or the speaker's attitude towards the action. 

Examples: 

→ The teacher explained the concept condescendingly, assuming the students wouldn't grasp its complexity.
→ The employee completed the task resentfully, as it was not part of their job description.
→ The team presented their project enthusiastically, showcasing months of hard work and dedication.
→ The student reluctantly admitted to plagiarising the essay, fearing the consequences.
→ The gymnast performed the routine effortlessly, earning applause from the impressed audience.
→ The soldier stood solemnly during the flag-raising ceremony, honouring those who sacrificed for their country.

7. Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of frequency describe how often an action occurs.

Examples: 

→ He intermittently checks his emails throughout the day to stay updated.
→ They go on vacation infrequently due to their busy work schedules.
→ Occasionally, she treats herself to a luxurious spa day.
→ The software is updated periodically to ensure optimal performance.
→ His calm demeanour is invariably maintained, even in stressful situations.
→ He exercises regularly; consequently, he enjoys robust health.

8. Relative Adverbs

Relative adverbs are words that introduce relative clauses and provide information about place, time, reason or manner. 

Examples: 

→ When: This is the day when we celebrate our achievements.
→ Where: This is the city where dreams come true.
→ Why: He explained the reason why he was late for the meeting.
→ While: We had a great time while we were on vacation.
→ Whose: The woman whose car was stolen reported it to the police.
→ Whom: The person whom you recommended has been hired for the job.
→ Wherever: I'll follow you wherever you go.
→ However: He completed the task, however difficult it seemed.
→ Whenever: Feel free to call me whenever you need assistance.
→ Whichever: Choose whichever option suits your needs best.

9. Interrogative Adverbs

Interrogative adverbs are words that are used to ask questions about manner, place, time, frequency, reason and degree. 

Examples: 

→ How: How did she manage to solve the complex equation so quickly?
→ Where: Where did you find such an ancient artefact?
→ When: When will the scientists reveal the groundbreaking discovery?
→ Why: Why did the political situation escalate so rapidly?
→ To what extent: To what extent can artificial intelligence replace human creativity?
→ In what manner: In what manner did the artist create such a realistic painting?
→ To what degree: To what degree does climate change impact biodiversity?
→ Under what circumstances: Under what circumstances should the emergency protocol be activated?
→ For what reason: For what reason did the CEO decide to restructure the company?
→ How often: How often do you practice mindfulness meditation for stress relief?

Position of Adverbs

Understanding the position of adverbs in a sentence is crucial for effective communication. Here's a table that helps to understand the common positions of adverbs:

Important Rules on Adverbs

Here are some important rules regarding the use of adverbs:

→ Many adverbs are formed by adding the suffix "-ly" to adjectives. For example, quick (adjective) becomes quickly (adverb). However, not all adverbs end in "-ly." Some adverbs, such as "fast," don't require any changes in form.

→ Be cautious when using negative adverbs ( not, never) in a sentence that already contains a negative word. Using double negatives can create confusion and lead to a positive meaning. 

For example, 

→ I can't find my keys nowhere. (Incorrect) 
→ I can't find my keys anywhere. (Correct)

→ Adverbs, like adjectives, have comparative and superlative forms. For most adverbs, you can add "-er" for the comparative form and "-est" for the superlative form. For example, She speaks English fluently but Maria speaks it most fluently in our class.

→ Adverbs like always, often, usually, sometimes, rarely and never are used to indicate the frequency of an action. For example, I always go to the gym on Mondays.

→ Adverbs can be used as intensifiers to emphasize the degree or extent of an action or adjective. For example, The music was extremely loud.

→ Be mindful of using adverbs that are redundant with the meaning of the verb they modify. Choose adverbs that add meaningful information. For example, He whispered quietly. (Redundant - whispering is inherently quiet)