Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Laura Galindo. Adapted from New English File Upper-Intermediate. Oxford.

Use:

Adverbs can describe an action.

He walked slowly.

They can also modify adjectives or other adverbs.

It’s incredibly expensive.He works very hard.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Form:

Adverbs can consist of just one word, (often, slowly..) or a phrase (once a week, all day).

There are many types of adverbs depending on the meaning they convey, e.g adverbs of manner, of frequency, degree, etc.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of manner:

Adverbs of manner describe how something is done. They usually go after the verb or phrase.

I don’t understand you when you speak quickly.

However, with passive verbs they usually go in mid-position (before the main verb but after the auxiliary).

The driver was seriously injured.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of frequency:

They express how often an action is done and they go before the main verb, except when the verb to be is the main verb, in this case the go afterwards.

I never have breakfast.

He’s always late.

Some adverbs of frequency (sometimes, usually, normally, etc.) can also go at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

Usually, I have lunch at 1 pm.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of time:

They indicate when an action is done and they go at the end of a sentence or clause.

They’ll be here soon.

It rained all day yesterday.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of degree:

They describe how much an action is done. They can also modify an adjective.

We’re incredibly tired.He works a lot.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of degree:

Extremely, incredibly, very, etc. are used with adjectives and adverbs and go before them.

He’s extremely tall.She’s very mature for her age.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of degree:

Much and a lot are often used with verbs and go after the verb or the verb phrase.

I smoke a lot.

She doesn’t go out much.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Adverbs of degree:

A little, a bit can be used with adjectives or verbs.

I’m a bit tired.

She sleeps a bit in the afternoon.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Comment adverbs:

They give the speaker’s opinion about what it’s being said or written. They usually go at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Unfortunately, we arrived half an hour late.

Ideally, we should leave at 10.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Most other adjectives go in mid position.

I just need ten more minutes.

She didn’t even say goodbye.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases