ADVERBS
An adverb can be added to a verb to
modify its meaning. Usually, an adverb tells you when, where, how,
in what manner, or to what extent an
action is performed.
Many adverbs end in “LY” —
particularly those that are used to express how an action is performed.
Although many adverbs end “LY”, lots
do not,
E.G., fast, never, well, very, most,
least, more, less, now, far, and there.
KINDS OF ADVERBS:
1. ADVERBS OF MANNER
The Adverbs like wisely, foolishly,
well, fast, slowly, bravely shows how (or the manner in which) an action is
done. Such Adverbs are called Adverbs of Manner.
Adverb of Manner answer the question
-'How'?
FOR EXAMPLE:
• She ran fast. (it answers the
question “How does she run?”)
2. ADVERBS OF PLACE
The Adverbs like outside, everywhere,
here, there, hither, thither, out, forward shows where an action is
done. Such Adverbs are called Adverbs
of Place.
Adverb of Place answer the question
-'where'?
FOR EXAMPLE:
• School children are playing
outside.
3. ADVERBS OF TIME
The Adverbs today like yesterday,
tomorrow, daily, early, presently, immediately show when an action is
done are called Adverbs of time.
Adverb of time answer the question
-'when'?
FOR EXAMPLE:
• School children do their homework
daily.
4. ADVERBS OF NUMBER
The Adverbs which shows how often an
action is done like twice, always, done.
Adverb of Number answer the question
-'How often'?
FOR EXAMPLE:
• He seldom came here.
5. ADVERBS OF DEGREE
These Adverbs, which show how much or
to what extent a thing is done, are called Adverb of Degree.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• The coffee was extremely hot.
6. INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS
Adverbs which are used for asking questions
are called 'Interrogative Adverbs'.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• When did he come?
Although the term adverb implies that
they are only used with verbs, adverbs can also modify adjectives
and other adverbs.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• Badly trained dogs that fail the test
will become pets.
(The adverb badly modifies the
adjective trained.)
(NOTE: The adjective trained is an
adjective formed from the verb to train. It is called a participle.)
• She wore a beautifully designed
dress. (The adverb beautifully modifies the adjective designed.)
• Peter Jackson finished his
assignment remarkably. (The adverb quickly modifies the verb to finish. The
adverb remarkably modifies the adverb quickly.)
When an adverb modifies an adjective,
there is no need to join the two with a hyphen.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• Thomas was a highly respected
member of the team. (There is no need to join the adverb highly to the
adjective respected with a hyphen.)
• Deepak was an
exceptionally-talented teenager. (There is no need to join the adverb
exceptionally to the adjective talented with a hyphen.)
With words like well and fast (which
are both adjectives and adverbs), a hyphen can be used to avoid
ambiguity.
FOR EXAMPLE:
• We will be visited by a well-known
actress.
(In this example, a hyphen is added
to differentiate between well-known (i.e., a widely known actress)
and well and known (i.e., healthy and
recognized actress). As unlikely as the latter may be, it is
grammatically feasible. The hyphen
eliminates all ambiguity.)
He tried to sell me 200 fast-growing
chickens.
(A hyphen is added to differentiate
between fast-growing (i.e., chickens which grow quickly) and fast and growing
(i.e., chickens which are good runners and still growing). As unlikely as the
latter may be, the hyphen eliminates all ambiguity.)