Adverbs and adverbial phrases

Adverbs and adverbial phrases

By Fharibi Pacheco

​The position of adverbs and adverbial clauses​

​Adverbs can describe an action, or modify adjectives or other adverbs.​

​My parents will be here in half an hour.​

Describe how somebody does something. They usually go after the verb or verb phrase. With passive verbs, they go in mid-position.

​I speak five languages fluently.

He walks very slowly.

Adverbs of manner

​The driver was seriously injured.

Tell the frequency of an action. They usually go before the main verb, but after the verb to be. Sometimes, usually and normally can go at the beginning of the sentence. If there are two auxiliaries, the adverb goes after the first one.​

I hardly ever have time ​for breakfast.

Adverbs of frequency

​I would never have thought you were 40.

Liam's always late for work.

Tell the time and place an action happens. They go at the end of the sentence. Place adverbs usually go before Time adverbs. Adverbs of time can also go at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis. ​

It rained all day yesterday.

Adverbs of time and place

My parents will be here in half an hour.

Describe how much something is done, or modify an adjective.

• Nearly and almost are used before a verb or verb phrase.

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

• A lot and much are often used with verbs, and go after the verb or verb phrase.

• A little, a little bit (of) can be used with adjectives or verbs.

I'm nearly finished.

Adverbs of degree

We are incredibly tired.

They give the speaker's opinion, and usually go at the beginning of a sentence. Examples of common adverbs are: luckily, basically, clearly, obviously, apparently, eventually, etc. ​

Unfortunately, the package never arrived.

Comment adverbs

Ideally, we should leave here at 10:00.

Most other adverbs go in mid-position. ​

I just need ten more minutes.

Other adverbs

She'll probably come in the end.

I didn't even see you in class.