Adverb

THE ADVERB

Read the following sentences:-

Rama runs quickly.

This is a very sweet mango.

Govind reads quite clearly.

In sentence 1, quickly shows how (or in what manner) Rama runs; that is, quickly modifies the Verb runs.

In sentence 2, very shows how much (or in what degree) the mango is sweet; that is, very modifies the Adjective sweet.

In sentence 3, quite shows how far (or to what extent) Govind reads clearly; that is, quite modifies the Adverb clearly.

A word that modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another Adverb is called an Adverb. The words quickly, very, and quite are, therefore, Adverbs.

Def.- An Adverb is a word which modifies the meaning of a Verb, an Adjective or another Adverb.

In the following sentences Adverbs modify phrases:-She was sitting close beside him.

At what hour is the sun right above us? Have you read all through this book? She was dressed all in white.

He paid his debts down to the last penny.

Adverbs standing at the beginning of sentences sometimes modify the whole sentence, rather than any particular word; as,

Probably he is mistaken. [=It is probable that he is mistaken.] Possibly it is as you say. Certainly you are wrong. Evidently the figures are incorrect.

Unfortunately no one was present there. Luckily he escaped unhurt.

Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs may be divided into the following classes, according to their meaning :-

(1) Adverbs of Time (which show when) I have heard this before.

That day he arrrived late. We shall now begin to work.

He called here a few minutes ago.

I had a letter from him lately.

The end soon came.

He comes here daily.

I hurt my knee yesterday.

I have spoken to him already.

Wasted time never returns.

He once met me in Cairo

I have not seen him since.

Mr. Gupta formerly lived here.

Adverbs of Frequency (which show how often). I have told you twice.

I have not seen him once. He often makes mistakes; He seldom comes here.

The postman called again.

He always tries to do his best.

He frequently comes unprepared.

Adverbs of Place (which show where). Stand here.

Go there.

The little lamb followed Mary everywhere. My brother is out.

Come in.

Walk backward. He looked up.

Is Mr. Das within?

The horse galloped away.

Adverbs of Manner (which show how or in what manner). The Sikhs fought bravely.

The boy works hard.

I was agreeably disappointed. Is that so?

Thus only, will you succeed. Govind reads clearly.

This story is well written. The child slept soundly.

Slowly and sadly we laid him down. You should not do so.

[Note-This class includes nearly all those Adverbs which are derived from adjectives and end in -ly.]

Adverbs of Degree or Quantity (which show how much, or in what degree or to what extent).

He was too careless. Is that any better?

These mangoes are almost ripe. I am fully prepared.

You are quite wrong. The sea is very stormy. I am rather busy.

He is good enough for my purpose. I am so glad.

You are partly right.

You are altogether mistaken. Things are no better at present. She sings pretty well.

He is as tall as Rama.

Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation Surely you are mistaken. He certainly went.

Adverbs of Reason

He is hence unable to refute the charge.

He therefore left school.

Some of the above Adverbs may belong to more than one class She sings delightfully. (Adverb of Manner)

The weather is delightfully cool. (Adverb of Degree) Don't go far. (Adverb of Place)

He is far better now. (Adverb of Degree)

Note- The above are all examples of Simple Adverbs.

Yes and no, when they are used by themselves, are equivalents of sentences. Have you typed the letter? Yes.

[Here yes stands for the sentence I have typed the letter'.] Are you going to Japan? No.

[Here no means 'I am not going to Japan.]

Exercise in Grammar

In the following sentences (1) pick out the Adverbs and tell what each modifies; (2) tell whether the modified word is a Verb, an Adjective, or an Adverb; (3) classify each Adverb as an Adverb of time, place, manner, degree, etc. :-

He was ill pleased.

Try again.

He is too shy.

We rose very early.

I am so glad to hear it.

Cut it lengthwise.

Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Are you quite sure.

That is well said.

Once or twice we have met alone.

The railway station is far off.

I have heard this before.

Father is somewhat better.

I am much relived to hear it.

The walk was rather long.

The patient is much worse to-day.

She arrived a few minutes ago.

Ambition urges me forward.

She was dressed all in black.

We were very kindly received.

Her son is out in Iran.

I surely expect him to-marrow.

He could not speak, he was so angry.

You are far too hasty.

The secret is out.

He is old enough to know better.

I would much rather not go.

You need not roar.

Your watch is five minutes too fast.

He went off on Monday.

His health is no worse than before.

Wisdom is too high for a fool.

There is a screw loose somewhere.

I see things differently now.

Rome was not built in a day.

The door burst open and in they came.

We have scorched the snake, not killed it.

Do not crowd your work so closely together.

The patient is not better to-day.

He must needs to do.

Do not walk so fast.

Put not your trust in princes.

Order the carriage round.

He has been shamefully treated.

I wonder you never told me.

When Adverbs are used in asking questions they are called Interrogative Adverbs;

as,

Where is Abdul? [Inter. Adverb of Place] When did you come? [Inter. Adverb of Time] Why are you late? [Inter. Adverb of Reason] How did you contrive it? [Inter. Adverb of Manner]

How many boys are there in your class? [Inter. Adverb of Number] How high is Rajabai Tower? [Inter. Adverb of Degree]

Read the sentences:-

Show me the house where (=in which) he was assaulted.

Here the Adverb where modifies the verb, was assaulted.

Further the Adverb where, like a Relative Pronoun, here relates or refers back to its antecedent house. It is, therefore, called a Relative Adverb.

Further examples of Relative Adverbs:-

This is the reason why I left.

Do you know the time when the Punjab Mail arrives?

It will be now seen that according to their use, Adverbs are divided into three classes-

(1) Simple Adverbs, used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or an adverb; as, I can hardly believe it.

You are quite wrong.

How brightly the moon shines.

Interrogative Adverbs, used to ask questions; as, Why are you late?

(3) Relative Adverbs, which refer back to a noun as their antecedent; as, I remember the house where I was born.

 It will be noticed that -

A Simple Adverb merely modifies some word.

An Interrogative Adverb not only modifies some word, but also introduces a question.

A Relative Adverb not only modifies some word, but also refers back to some antecedent.

Forms of Adverbs

Some Adverbs are the same in form as the corresponding Adjectives; that is, some words are used sometimes as Adjectives, sometimes as Adverbs.

Adjectives

He spoke in a loud voice.

Rama is our fast bowler.

He lives in the next house.

He went to the back entrance.

Every little difficulty ruffles his temper.

This is a hard sum.

It's an ill wind that blows nobody good.

He is the best boy in this class.

He is quick to take offence.

Are you an early riser?

The teacher has a high opinion of that boy.

He is the only child of his parents.

We have food enough to last a week.

He is no better than a fool.

There is much truth in what he says.

Adverbs

Don't talk so loud.

Rama can bowl fast.

When I next see him, I shall speak to him.

Go back.

He is little known outside India.

He works hard all day, I can ill afford to lose him.

He behaves best.

Run quick.

We started early.

Always aim high.

You can only guess.

She sings well enough.

He knows me better than you.

The patient is much better.

Remember that it is only by noticing tell what Part of Speech it is.

Exercise in Composition

Form sentences to illustrate the use of the following words (1) Adjectives, (2) as Adverbs:-

Very, near, ill, only, clean, long, late, early, fast.

Some Adverbs have two forms, the form ending in /y and the form which is the same as the Adjective; as,

He sings very loud. He sings very loudly.

Sometimes, however, the two forms of the Adverb have different meanings; as,

Rama works hard (= diligently).

I could hardly (= scarcely) recognize him.

Stand near. (Opposed to distant)

Rama and Hari are nearly (= closely) related.

He arrived late. (Opposed to early).

I have not seen him lately (= recently).

I am pretty (= tolerably, fairly) sure of the fact.

She is prettily (= neatly, elegantly) dressed.

Some Adverbs are used as Nouns after prepositions; as, He lives far from here (= this place).

He comes from there (= that place).

I have heard that before now (= this time).

By then (= that time) the police arrived on the scene. Since when (= what time) have you taken to smoking? The rain comes from above.

[Note. The common use of from with thence and whence is wrong. Thence- from there; whence = from where. Thus the addition of from to either of these words is incorrect].

Certain Adverbs sometimes seem to be used as Adjectives, when some participle or adjective is understood.

The then king = the king then reigning. A down train = a down-going train. An up train = an up-going train.

The above statement = the statement made above.

In the following sentences the is not the definite article, but an old demonstrative pronoun used as an Adverb.

The more the merrier [= by how much the more by so much the merrier; that is, the more numerous a party is, the more enjoyable it is]. The fewer the better = by how much the fewer by so much the better. The sooner the better] = by how much the sooner by so much the better]. He has tried it and is [so much] the better for it.

It will be noticed that the is used as an Adverb only with an adjective or another adverb in the comparative degree.

Nouns expressing adverbial relations of time, place, distance, weight, measurement, value, degree, or the like, are often used as Adverbs. Thus-

            The siege lasted a week.

            This will last me a month.

            He went home.

            We walked five miles.

            The load weighs three tonnes.

            It measures five feet.

            The cloth measures three meters.

            The watch is worth a thousand rupees.

            The wound was skin deep.

A noun so used is called an Adverbial Accusative.

Sometimes Verbs are used as Adverbs; as, Smack went the whip.