ADVERBS
Adverb is a word which qualifies or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. An adverb also modifies a sentence. Adverbs are used to describe time, place and manner of an action.
ADVERB OF TIME: It shows when the action is or was done. Now, then, since, late, today, tomorrow, yesterday, before, ago, soon, presently, immediately, afterwards, instantly, recently, daily, already, when, while, etc.
Example: We have just come now. We are already late. I received your letter yesterday. We are visiting the fair today. I hope to return soon. All the underlined words say when the action is or was done.
ADVERB OF PLACE: It shows where the action is or was done. Here, there, out, in, away, bellow, outside, far, near, hence, after, above, etc.
Example: Come here. Go there. He has gone out. Come in. he went upstairs. Do not go far.
ADVERB OF NUMBER OR FREQUENCY: It shows how often the action is or was done. Again, often, never, ever, once, twice, thrice, firstly, secondly, thirdly, sometimes, frequently etc.
Example: A barking dog seldom bites. Take these pills twice a day. He never told a lie in life. My friend always helps me in trouble. We frequently visit the temple.
ADVERB OF MANNER OR QUALITY: It shows how the action is or was done. Well, ill, thus, how, badly, wisely, clearly, highly, carefully, honestly etc. this is the largest class of adverbs which are formed by ADJECTIVE + LY.
Example: Sachin has batted well in the last match. He falls ill for excessive hard work. Thus the man has spoken. The teacher explained the fact very clearly. We believe him honestly.
ADVERB OF DEGREE OR QUANTITY: It shows to what extent the action is or was done. So, almost, too, altogether, somewhat, enough, quite, very, more, much, fully, half, wholly, little, a little etc.
Example: He is a very clever boy. What he said is partly true. The man is strong enough to do this. I am too busy to attend the meeting. The work is almost completed.
ADVERB OF REASON: It shows why the action is or was done. Therefore, hence (for that reason), why, consequently, accordingly, wherefore etc.
Example: I was late therefore I could not join the program. The team has worked accordingly.
ADVERB OF AFFIRMATION OR NEGATION: It shows affirmation or negation of the action. No, surely, not at all, yes, not, certainly, perhaps, indeed, probably, possibly, really, truly etc.
INTERROGATIVE ADVERB:
Adverb of time: when. When will the train come? When did the accident happen?
Adverb of place: Where. Here are you? Where did you see the man?
Adverb of number: how many. How many books do you have?
Adverb of number: How. How do you solve the sum?
Adverb of reason: why. Why does he fail?
Adverb of quantity or degree: How long is the fact true? How often do you visit the temple?
RELATIVE ADVERBS
Why, where, when why, how, while are relative adverbs.
We went to the place where the man died. I do not know when he will come. This is how I became a man. We saw the park while we were returning from Kolkata.
SIMPLE ADVERBS
These adverbs merely qualify a word or sentence. These adverbs are used independently. He runs fast. He reads well. Certainly, my friend will come today. Drive slow. Do not eat so fast.
POSITION OF ADVERBS
A. Adverbs are used after intransitive verbs.
Example: We are living happily. He walked silently. The child is sleeping soundly. He came early.
B. Adverbs of time (always, seldom, never, ever, often, frequently), are used before all verbs except TO BE VERBS.
Example: We frequently visit the church. A barking dog seldom bites. The man often comes to me. Rama silently entered the house. But he is never serious. We are always busy with our work. The boy is often late to his class.
C. Adverbs are used after objects.
Example: He bought a mobile yesterday. I know the man well. Michel read the names loudly. The teacher examined the answer script keenly. I saw the picture clearly.
D. If there are two verbs auxiliary and the main verb, adverbs are placed between the two verbs.
Example: I have never seen him before. The man is earnestly looking at me. I will ever remember the sight. John is keenly reading the news paper. The boy had honestly accepted the fact.
E. When an adverb qualifies an adjective, the adjective is used before the adjective.
Example: the man is very poor. He is rather sorry for this. This is a very old book.
But ‘enough’ is used after the word it qualifies. He is strong enough.
F. Sentence adverbs are used at the beginning of the sentence to qualify the whole sentence.
Example: Certainly he will come here. Happily we returned home. Unfortunately I have failed the train. Honestly speaking, he is a gentleman.
G. Use of ‘only’.
Only he was present in the meeting. (None but he)
He was only present in the meeting. (Present but did not take any part)
He was present only in the meeting. (Not in rally)
Sequence of adverbs: Generally adverbs follow the rule of Manner + place +time.
