Hello learner,
In this lesson we are going to discuss on the major word classes. Adverb is another major word class because it shares some common features with the first three word classes discussed. The section will attempt to explain what adverbs are by considering the words they give information on. Enjoy this lesson.
By the time you finish reading this lesson, you should be able to:
• explain into details what adverbs are;
identify adverbs and the words they modify in sentences;
state the basic features of adverbs; and
discuss the types of adverbs.
The nature of adverbs
If you are asked what adverbs are, I am very sure you will say they are the words that modify verbs. After all, the word adverb seems to be a combination of ad+verb which literally implies a word which adds something or gives information about verbs. In that regard, you might be right and all people who think likewise may also be right. But do adverbs give information about (modify) only verbs? The sentences below will help us to answer that question.
a) He walks majestically.
b) He runs fast.
c) He runs very fast.
d) He did the work exceptionally well.
e) He shed uncontrollable tears when he saw the completely lifeless bodies.
f) This woman is undoubtedly beautiful.
g) Interestingly, the couple have separated after just two weeks of marriage.
h) Surprisingly, Aba failed the paper.
All the underlined words in the sentences above are adverbs yet not all of them give us information about the verbs. In sentences (a) and (b) the adverbs modify the verbs walks and runs respectively. In sentences (c) and (d), two adverbs are used in each and thus the first adverbs very and exceptionally modify the second ones fast and well accordingly. Completely and undoubtedly in sentences (e) and (f) are adverbs which modify the adjectives lifeless and beautiful. The last two sentences (g and h) contain the adverbs interestingly and surprisingly which modify the entire sentence that follows each of them.
Adverbs, we can then say, is the part of speech which is used to describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs and a clause/ sentence. Generally, adverbs are used to tell us how something is done, or where something is or how something appears and to tell of many other situations.
Indicate the part of speech the underlined adverbs modify in the sentences
below:
1. I know how it is done.
2. He is attractively cute.
3. He performed extremely well.
4. She dresses cutely,
Types of adverbs
Dear learner, we have said that adverbs give us specific information about verbs, adjectives, adverbs and sometimes sentences/ clauses. We, therefore, have many types of adverbs. Many writers have given different types of adverbs. Some propose four, others five, and others nine. The issue is the more many types are proposed, the likelihood of encountering overlapping situations. For instance, the types of adverb such as adverb of reason and adverb of purpose are not easy to accept. We thus propose six types of adverbs: adverb of place, time, manner, reason, degree and frequency. We explain each of the types with examples below:
Adverb of place
Adverbs of place are the type of adverbs whose use in sentences simply help in answering the question where? Examples are presented below:
I have a big house nearby.
Araba lives faraway from this place.
The underlined words which are adverbs answer the questions, Where is your big house? (Nearby) and Where does Araba live? (faraway). The words here, downstairs, above are examples of words that can be used in sentences to demonstrate adverbs of place.
Adverb of time
This type of adverbs help to address the question when?
Mercy lived in UK for a year.
Today has been a good one for me.
This group of adverbs normally either begins or ends sentences. However, few can be used within sentences as in I will soon marry/ I will marry soon. Examples of words which can be used to demonstrate adverb of time include yesterday, last year and the following day.
Adverb of manner
Adverbs of manner simply tell of how or the way something or an activity is done. They help to answer the question, how? Below are some illustrations.
She marked the essay meticulously.
They prepared adequately for the exams.
In the two sentences, how the essay was marked and how the students prepare for the exams have been described by the adverbs meticulously and adequately.
Form a sentence each with the words gently, softly, gracefully and fast to indicate the manner in which the activities were performed.
Adverb of reason
The words in this group are used in sentences to seek to answer the question why? It is used to tell why something is done or why an action takes place.
Araba is ill so she did not write the exams.
I sing because I am glad.
She is a diabetic patient, thus, she has stopped eating much starchy foods.
The words so, because and thus help us to know the reasons behind the people’s actions and behaviours. Examples of words that can be used to indicate adverbs of reason are, in order that, therefore, and since. This type of adverb (adverb of reason) looks similar to another type which some writers term ‘adverbs of result’.
Adverb of degree (quantity)
This type of adverb shows in what degree or how much or to what extent an action was executed or carried out. Examples are:
The room is nearly ready for the programme.
The two friends hardly greet each other.
I absolutely disagree with the committee.
Other words that could be used in the same way are almost, extremely and
partly.
Adverb of Frequency
This group of words is used to tell how often something happens, so it is used in sentences to help answer the question, how often?
Jesse always annoys me.
I seldom visit her.
Every year, she organises a birthday party.
All the adverbs in the sentences above indicate the frequency of occurrence of the activities indicated. Some examples of words that could be used this way are often, rarely, fortnightly now and again.
Features of Adverbs
Adverbs possess certain features which somehow make them different from the other three major word classes. These features are:
They can be optional elements in sentences. Unlike nouns and verbs, adverbs can be omitted in sentences and yet, meaning would be realized. This is so with adjectives too.
Adverbs can be used in succession (piled up) in sentences, Now, I hardly see him since he is busy. Some adverbs can be placed at various positions in a particular sentence but there will not be meaning change in that sentence. This is illustrated below.
I always eat banku.
I eat banku always.
Always I eat banku.
In the sentences above, the frequency adverb always occurs at sentence medial, final and initial positions but the same meaning is realized.
Few adverbs can be in the comparative and superlative forms just like adjectives, but they take more and most with the exception of early and fast being earlier and earliest and faster and fastest respectively. So we have slowly, more slowly and most slowly.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Indicate the words the underlined adverbs modify in the sentences below and state the parts of speech of those words:
a) Akosua went away.
b) Christie often irritates me.
c) He is marvelously gentle.
d) Aba does her work completely well.
