Subject Code: ENG 17

Subject Description: Structures of English (3.0 units)

Adverbs
I. OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit you should be able to:

• Describe the nature and functions of an adverb;

II. MAIN CONTENT

ADVERBS

An adverb is a word that describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It

She went out. (where)

Adverb modifying an adjective:

I was extremely pleased with your rendition of the song. (to what extent)
She faces a tremendously difficult situation.
This manual is very easy to follow.

Adverb modifying another adverb:

He wrote so neatly.
You will have to listen very carefully.

Prepositional phrases also act as adverbs. They are called prepositional adverb phrases. They
modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs.

Examples:

Modifying Verbs:

Place:
I rested under the tree. (where)
The stray cat jumped over the fence. (where)

Time:
The volcano spews ashes in the morning. (when)
Burglars break doors at night. (when)

Manner:
I ate the sizzling steak in short order.
I gazed at the moon through my telescope.

Modifying adjective: I am upset at the situation.

Modifying adverb: The back hoe dug deep into the earth.
(The underlined phrase modifies deep, an adverb that modifies the verb dug.)

The word deep can be used as an adjective, an adverb, or even a noun (if it is used with the
article the.)
Consider the following examples:

As a noun:
I do not want to fall into the deep.

As an adjective:
He was commended for a deep portrayal of his role as a holocaust survivor.

As adverb:
He is wandering deep into the forest.

How do we know if a word is used as an adverb or a preposition? Here is the clue: If the word is
followed by a noun or pronoun (also called an object), it is a preposition, and is a part of a
prepositional phrase. If it is alone and clearly describes an action verb, it is an adverb.

Examples:
1. The learners gathered outside the classroom.

In this example, the word outside is used as a preposition because it has an object—the noun
classroom. Together, the words form a prepositional phrase that acts as an adverb modifying the
verb gathered. The entire phrase answers the question where.

2. The learners ran outside.

In this second example, outside is used as an adverb modifying the verb ran. It does not have an
object, and therefore, cannot be considered a preposition.

I will just walk around. (adverb)

I went there before. (adverb)

The conversation coasted along. (adverb)

Just remember that while the second examples above contain prepositions, they are in fact,
a part of prepositional phrases, which in their entirety, act as adverbs. They are known as
prepositional adverb phrases which function in the same way as single-word adverbs.