Adverb And Adverb Clauses

An adverb is a word like tomorrow, slowly, happily, once, soon, here and elsewhere.

An adverb usually modifies a verb or a verb phrase and provides information about the manner, time, place or circumstances of the activity or state denoted by the verb or verb phrase. It can also modify an adjective or another adverb.

He walked slowly. (The adverb slowly modifies the verb walked.)
He spoke quite loudly. (The adverb quite modifies the adverb loudly.)
It was a very delightful function. (The adverb very modifies the adjective delightful.)

There are many kinds of adverbs with different functions. A manner adverb says something about the manner in which an action is performed. Most of these end in –ly, but a few don’t.

She sang badly.
We will have to think quickly.
Susie drives too fast.

Most adverbs of manner can be modified by degree modifiers like very, rather, quite and too.

She walked very slowly.
Susie drives too fast.

Most adverbs of manner can also be compared with more and most.

Do it more carefully.

A time adverb says something about the time of an action.

Examples are: yesterday, tomorrow, once, soon, always, never etc.

A place adverb says something about the location or direction of an action.

Examples are: here, somewhere, elsewhere, uphill, ahead etc.

Adverb clause

An adverb clause is a group of words that does the same job as an adverb. It may express time, place, manner, cause, purpose, concession or another circumstance.

Let’s have a drink before we go. (time)
As soon as she finished work, Alice rushed off to play tennis. (time)
Peter takes his dog wherever he goes. (place)
Alice drives better than Peter does. (manner)
I missed my flight because my train was late. (cause)
If Susie gets back in time, she can go with us. (condition)

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Manjusha Nambiar

Hi, I am Manjusha. This is my blog where I give English grammar lessons and worksheets.

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