Adverb: It is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb or an

entire clause.

Examples:
Anita walks slowly.
Divya talks softly.
Bharti ran away very quickly. (Adverb phrase modifies the verb ran)
The toolkit has been kept in the garage. (Adverbial prepositional phrase modifies the
verb kept)

Types of Adverbs as Part of Speech

Given below is the detailed explanation of the various types of Adverbs with
relevant examples.

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Adverb of Time

It describes when for how long something happens and answers the question ‘when’
through words like soon, early, late, now, before, still, yet, later, tomorrow, etc. In an
interrogative sense, when and how long function as the adverb of time.

Examples:
The show will resume soon.
We are preparing for dinner now.
How long had you been hiding in the bushes?
When did you arrive?

Adverb of Place

Describe the direction, distance, movement, or position involved in the action of a verb
and thus answers the question ‘where’ through the words like here, there, everywhere,
north, south, forward, downward, behind, etc. In an interrogative sense, where
functions as adverb of place.

Examples:
The boat was moving downstream.
Where are you going?
They say that God is present everywhere.

Adverb of Manner

It describes how something happens or someone does something. It actually answers

the question ‘how’ or in ‘what manner’ through words like beautifully, wonderfully,
smartly, badly, bravely, etc. In an interrogative sense, how functions as adverb of
manner. Usually, the adverb of manners are formed from adjectives.
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Examples:
The lion moved slowly towards its prey.
How did she behave in the party?
Maya behaved badly in the get together.

Adverb of Degree or Quantity

It describes the degree or extent of the verb, adjective, or adverb they are modifying. It
answers the question ‘how far’ through words like very, quite, almost, fairly, truly,
pretty, somewhat, etc. In an interrogative sense, how far and how much function as
adverb of degree or quantity.

Examples:
You are pretty close to the correct answer.
How far do you think they can go with this attitude?
It took us quite a long time to reach the destination.

Adverb of Frequency (or Number)

It describes how frequently or how often something happens. Words like

always usually, twice, firstly, daily, monthly, etc. are adverbs of frequency.

Examples:
Twice did I land up in jail.
Preeti rarely skips her meals.
I am usually awake by 7 o’ clock in the morning.

Adverb of Reason

It describe ‘why’ something happens or is the case. Words like therefore, thus,
hence, consequently, etc. are adverbs of reason.
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Example:
Pratima has never behaved so oddly. We must therefore conclude that something
is wrong.

Adverb of Focus and Viewpoint

I is used to focus on a particular word or phrase, such as also, exclusively, just, mostly,
notably, primarily, especially.

Examples:
Priya gets gifts for all, even for her distant cousins.

Primarily, the research focuses on human behavior in adverse circumstances.

I don’t like kids, especially the cranky ones.

Adverb of Viewpoint

It is used to express that a particular idea is being looked at from a certain point of view,
or to specify what aspect of something is being talked about. Words like personally, in
my point of view, according to you, scientifically, biologically, etc., are adverbs of
viewpoint.

Examples:
Logically speaking, completing this task within the given time frame is next
to impossible.
According to Parth the ship should have sunk by now.

Adverb of Affirmation

Expresses what the speaker knows about the truth of the statement. Words like
perhaps, certainly, undoubtedly, clearly, allegedly, etc. are adverbs of affirmation.
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Example: You have certainly fallen prey to greed.

Adverb of Negation

It is used to modify the meaning of a verb, adjective or another adverb in a negative way
with words such as not, hardly, barely, never, seldom.

Example: I do not work on holidays.

Relative Adverbs

It joins two clauses by relating itself to a noun and indicates time, place, reason or
manner.Examples:
I know the house where he lives.
I don’t know the time when the function begins.
I don’t know why he left the room.

Order of Adverbs as Part of Speech

If more than adverb is used to describe a verb, a specific order should be maintained
while placing them in a sentence, so that the sentence sounds smooth. Place
multiple adverbs in the following order:

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Example:
I have to run quickly (manner) to the hospital (place) everyday (frequency)
after breakfast (time) in order to see my patients (purpose).

Comparison of Adverbs

Like adjectives, there are three degrees of comparison in adverbs: the positive, the
comparative and the superlative. The adverbs form their comparatives and superlatives
using –er and –est and more and most. Some adverbs have comparative and
superlative degrees completely different from their positive forms:
 Positive Comparative Superlative

Near Nearer Nearest

High Higher Highest

Angrily More angrily Most angrily

Gladly More gladly Most gladly

Much More Most

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 Little Less Least

Forms of Adverbs as Part of Speech

• Adverbs formed by adding –ly to an adjective:

He had a quick run to save the child from an accident. (Adjective)

He ran quickly to save the child from an accident. (Adverb

• Adverbs that are identical to adjectives:

Neeraj owns a fast and powerful bike. (Adjective)

Please do not drive too fast. (Adverb)

• Adverbs such as as, even, how, never, next, now, rather, so, soon,
still, then, too, etc. are not derived from an adjective or any other word.

Are you still hiding the truth?

She does not even know our situation.

Few tips to Use Adverbs as Part of Speech

1. The sentence based on too…to format can only be replaced with so…that, if
‘cannot’ is also added while conversion.

Example:
The box is too heavy to lift.
The box is too heavy that one cannot lift it. (Incorrect)
The box is so heavy that one cannot lift it. (Correct)

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 2. Two negatives cancel each other. So avoid using double negatives unless we
make an affirmation.

Example.
I have not done nothing wrong. (Incorrect)
I have not done anything wrong. (Correct)

3. The adverbs ‘hard’ and ‘hardly’ carry completely different meanings. The former
means ‘diligently’, ‘intensely’, while the latter means ‘scarcely at all’. Therefore be
careful while using them.

Examples:
They work hardly in the fields. (Incorrect)
They work hard in the fields. (Correct)

Rita has hard uttered a word today. (Incorrect)

Rita has hardly uttered a word today. (Correct)

4. The sentences which begin with seldom, never, hardly, scarcely or rarely, have
the following structure: Adverb + Verb + Subject

Example:
Seldom we have gathered together. (Incorrect)
Seldom have we gathered together. (Correct)