Grammar-Quizzes › Adverbials
Adverbials
Recognize function and form
An adverbial:
- is an inclusive term for words that are modifiers of verbs, adjectives, adverbs and clauses.
- takes form as an adverb (briskly) or adverb phrase (very briskly), a stance adverb (perhaps), or a prepositional phrase (in a brisk manner),
An adverb:
- expresses a particular meaning: (1)"situational adverbs" add detail information about the action—manner, frequency, degree and so on; (2) "stance adverbs" add opinion (Perhaps, Sadly) or information about the circumstances under which something is being said (Frankly, Briefly); and (3) temporal adverbs that add information about timing (soon, early, late).
- functions as a modifier to a verb (quickly, frequently, daily), adjective (very, rather, quite) or another adverb (too fast, so slowly, really loudly) or a clause (Unfortunately, Sadly).
- takes form with an -ly suffix (usually, rapidly) and occasionally a -ways suffix (sideways) or -wise (otherwise) suffix. A few adverbs take no suffix (well, fast, hard, loud).
An adverb phrase:
- expresses the manner in which an activity occurs or the frequency which an action occurs.
- functions as a modifier to the predicate, a verb.
- takes form as a degree adverb modifying an adverb of manner or frequency (rather briskly, very often, extremely fast).
A prepositional phrase:
- expresses manner of an action (in a quick manner), timing of an action (in the morning), location of an action (on the sidewalk) or an expression (in a flash).
- functions mostly as (1) the predicate complement (an element required to complete the meaning of the subject and predicate); or (2) an adjunct (an element not required but adding additional information to a clause). See Prep Uses.
- takes form as a preposition and its complement, which is often a noun phrase but may also be a variety of other structures—at home (N), in the house (NP), out of the house (PP), in stead of later (NP+PP), after leaving (Ger), after we left (Cls). See Prep Complements.
Adverb Summary
Adverb Diagnostic: Adverb diagnostic quiz
Identify specific English grammar points that need review.
An Adverb: recognize how they function in clauses
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – multiple choice
He spoke freely. (modifies a verb)
He is very smart. (modifies an adjective)
He teaches quite creatively. (modifies an adverb)
He stopped exactly on time. (modifies a preposition phrase)
Suddenly, everyone started clapping. (modifies a clause)
Frankly, I don't understand the problem. (modifies a clause)
Adverbs for Manner & Degree
Adverb Suffixes: express how an action occurs
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – edit
He is an excellent tennis player.
He plays tennis excellently.
It was a hard game. (adjective)
They played hard. (adv – manner)
He hardly played. (adv– degree)
*He appears expertly. appear – seems stative verb
He appears professionally. appear – take part in a public event (dynamic verb)
Adverbs for Manner: compare the positioning of adverbs
Intermediate-Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Modifying a Clause "stance"
Practice – multiple choice
He moved silently. (verb)
He was purposefully silent. (adjective)
Quietly, he turned the dial on the safe. (sentence)
Adverbs for Degree: express the intensity of an action —how much?
(Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
He talks excessively. (verb)
He talks extremely fast. (Adv)
He is rather talkative. (Adj)
He literally doesn't stop talking. (adv. degree)
He translated the text literally. (adv. manner)
Adverbs for Time & Place
Adverbial Expr for Time: express the timing of an action (temporal modifiers)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
The sun heats the earth. (general truth – no adverb)
I am heating some water for tea. (at the moment)
The volcano erupted on April 14 2010. (specified time)
The volcano was erupting for over month. (indefinite time)
The Tower has stood in Pisa since 1352. (permanent)
We have been standing in line for two hours. (temporary)
Adverbs for Place : express movement in a particular direction (locational modifiers)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (mc)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (mc)
He went inside.
He went inside the house.
Adverb Modifiers to Prepositions: specify more precisely the timing, location or manner of the action (adverbial phrases)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Location—Precisely vs. Approximately
Point of View (Deixis)
Time—Precisely vs. Approximately
Practice 1 – select all that apply
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
The batter hit the ball right here.
The player threw the ball over here.
The player threw the ball straight ahead.
The pitcher threw the ball smack into the batter's head.
He batted the ball clear out of the park.
He hit the ball way over in the bay.
Adverbs Frequency: express how often an action occurs
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (mc)
Practice 2 – edit the sentence
We normally take the garbage out at night. (Unless something unexpected prevents this.)
We frequently take out the recyclables.
We occasionally take batteries out.
We never take hazardous waste out.
We never have much time together.
Never do we have much time together.
Adverbs for Focus
Adverbs for Focus: draw attention to particular information
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – complete paragraph
Only my phone can make calls to family in this area. (not my tablet)
My phone can only make calls to family in this area. (one function)
My phone can make only calls to family in this area. (not texts)
My phone can make calls only to family in this area. (not friends)
My phone can make calls to family only in this area. (not long distance)
Positioning of Adverbs
Splitting Verbs: compare positioning of adverbs
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – multiple choice
I will faithfully execute the office of president...
I will execute faithfully the office of president...
Stance Adverbs
Adverbs for Opinion : express truth or belief about a situation
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Opinion Adverbs & Prep Phrases
Practice – edit sentences
Also known as epistemic stance adverbials, modal adjuncts, domain adjuncts, discourse markers
Possibly, he will reach the top. (uncertain)
He might reach the top of the ice wall. (uncertain)
He apparently has super-human strength. (inference)
He must have super-human strength. (inference)
He actually climbed it by himself. (factual, widely accepted)
In my view, he's pretty amazing.
He apparently climbed it in world-record time.
Adv for Evaluation: express an attitude about a situation
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – edit sentence
Also known as dangling modifiers, sentence adverbs, evaluative adjuncts, attitude stance adverbials, comment adverbs
Hopefully, he will reach the top. (evaluation adv.)
He set out hopefully to reach to the top. (manner adv.)
Adverbs for Speech-acts: express the conditions under which something is being said
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Speech-act Related Adverb List
Practice– edit sentences
Also known as style stance adverbials, speech-act related adjuncts, discourse markers
Frankly, I don't think your plan will work. (speech-act related adverb)
He told me frankly about his problems. (adverb)
Confidentially, Ed is having some money problems.
He mentioned confidentially that he's having money problems.
Linking Adverbs
Connective Adverbs: indicate the relationship between two situations
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Connective Adverbs vs. Prepositional Phrases
Practice – select connectors in paragraphs
Also known as connectors, connecting adverbs, connective adjuncts
Buying organic fruit and vegetables is a better choice. In the first place, they are less contaminated by chemical pesticides. For another, they are not genetically modified. In addition, they are allowed to mature or ripen fully. Finally, they have a shorter "shelf life" so they are sold when fresh or best.
Interjection
Interjections: express a short emotional response
Intermediate–Advanced ESL
Also known as connecting adverbs in conversation, speech-act related adjuncts, discourse markers
Uh. Which one should I eat?. (pause)
Wow! This tastes good. (surprise)
Oops! I dropped it. (embarrassment)
Good day! (greeting)
Happy Birthday! (holiday greeting)
Discourse Markers: grab attention, hesitate, affirm, interject information into the conversation
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
So! What you are saying is that we have to have everything ready by then.
So… what you are saying is that we have to have everything ready by then.
So, you are saying we have to have everything ready by Wednesday midnight. (inf.) I guess that…
So we need to get the testing, advertising and database in place. (inf.) In summary
Related Pages
Indeed / Even : emphasize unexpected or extraordinary details
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
His work is indeed more amazing than before
His work is even more amazing than before
His work is in fact more amazing than before
So…that / Such…that: intensify a quality before stating an effect
Intermediate. ESL, Native Speaker
Practice – read & complete sentences (MC)
The meteor storm was so beautiful that we watched it all night.
It was such a beautiful meteor storm that we watched it all night.
We will learn so much interesting information that it will take years to process it. (quantity)
We will learn such interesting information that it will take years to process it. (quality)
By / With: state means or instrument— How do you do it?
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – Complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 2 – By- With
Practice 3 – Complete the sentence (MC)
Practice 4 – Edit for Errors
You can open it by using a knife.
You can cut the string with a knife.
Note that because many connectors function as part of adverbial phrases or clauses, their links may be listed on Adverb and Connector summary pages.