Definition
An adverb is a word which modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective or an adverb.
- Rama runs quickly.
- Govinda reads quite clearly.
Kinds of Adverb (According to Meaning)
1) Adverbs of Time
They tell us when an action takes place. I shall meet you tomorrow.
Time adverbs cannot be used in the present perfect; use the past indefinite.
2) Adverbs of Place
They tell us where an action takes place. He left his bag there.
3) Adverbs of Manner
They tell us how an action takes place or in what manner. Gautam Buddha left his family stealthily.
4) Adverbs of Frequency
They tell us how often an action takes place. The Delhi Police is always with you.
5) Adverbs of Degree or Quantity
They tell us how much / to what degree. I have pleaded enough and now I give up.
The adverb “so” as an adverb of degree must not be used absolutely.
“That” should not be used instead of “so” as an adverb.
“Too” should not be used instead of “very” or “much” and vice versa.
Much is used with past participles used as adjectives, not with present participles.
Adverb of degree comes just before the adjective it qualifies.
They are so honest that they cannot tell a lie.
6) Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation
They tell us whether an action is done or not. He has not left the place.
7) Adverbs of Reason
They tell us why an action takes place. She therefore decided to be a rich woman.
Kinds of Adverb (According to Use)
1) Simple Adverb
It only modifies some words (verb, adjective or an adverb). All the above examples belong to this category.
2) Interrogative Adverb
It modifies and also introduces a question. How did you come here?
3) Relative Adverb
It modifies and also refers back to some antecedent. How can I forget the day when happiness was showered on me from all sides?
Forms of adverb
Adjective should not be used for adverb.
Some adverbs have two forms: the -ly form and the form same as the adjective (loud, quick, high, hard, near, late, pretty).
Comparison of adverbs
If the adverb is of one syllable, comparative is formed with -er and superlative with -est.
Adverbs ending in -ly form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Position of adverbs
Adverbs of manner, place and time are generally placed after the verb or after the object if there is one.
When there are two or more adverbs after a verb (and its object), the normal order is: adverb of manner, adverb of place, adverb of time.
Adverbs of frequency and most adverbs of quantity are
- normally put between the subject and the verb if the verb consists of only one word;
- put after the first word if there is more than one word in the verb;
- put after the verb if the verb is am/are/is/was/were;
Some more rules
Two negatives should not be used in the same sentence unless we wish to make an affirmation.
Ever should not be used for never.
Else should be followed by but.
Never should not be used for not.
