Adverb

An adverb adds something to the meaning of any part of speech except a noun or a pronoun.

Sometimes, an adverb modifies entire Assertive Sentence. In such cases, the adverb must stand first in the sentence; as

1. Certainly, I shall help him.
2. Unfortunately, the doctor came late.

1. Kinds of Adverbs

There are three distinct kinds of adverbs

(1) The simple Adverbs

Qualify the meaning of the words to which they are attached; ad

1. He came quickly.
2. Do it well.

Here quickly qualifies came and well qualifies do. These adverbs show.

Time (afterwards, again already, ago, before, etc)

Degree or Quantity (almost, also, enough, little, much, too, very, etc)

Quality or State (so, certainly, slowly, well, badly, etc.)

Number (again, always, firstly, never, once, often, twice, etc.)

Cause (why, how, what)

Effect (hence, therefore, likewise, etc.)

Belief or Disbelief ( yes, no, surely, not, perhaps, etc)

Comparison (so, as, than).

(2) The Relative Adverbs

Not only qualify any part of speech except a noun or a pronoun but also connect sentences; (as, I do not know where he live). The chief Adverbs of this kind are; as, how, then, when, where, while, why, whereas, and whereby.

(3) Interrogative Adverbs

are the same in form as the Relative Pronoun, but they are used in asking question (as, where did you go?). The chief Adverbs of this kind are: when, where, why, whence how far and how long.

2. The Position Of The Adverbs

The position of the Adverbs in a sentence is governed by the following considerations:-

1. An Adverb usually comes before an Adjective or another Adverbs; as

1. She was very glad to see us.
2. fought very bravely.

“enough” is generally placed after the word it modifies; as,

1. was rich enough to travel first class.
2. This house is large enough for us

2. An adverb is usually placed after the verb it modifies. But, for the sake of emphasis, it may also be place that verb; as

1. He came late. (“Late” modifies the Verb “came”).
2. She never tells a lie. (“Never” modifies the Verb “tells”).

Similarly, adverbs of Time and Number (e.g. always, ever, often, seldom and sometimes) are usually placed before the verbs they modify (excepting the Verb “be”); as,

1. You seldom do your duty.
2. He always played me false.
3. She is seldom late.
4. You are always in time.

3. An Adverb comes before or after the Objective, but not at all between the Transitive verb and its Object; as,

1. I learn my lesson thoroughly.
2. I thoroughly learn my lesson.

4. An Adverb may come between an Incomplete verb and its complement; as,

1. He is certainly a miser.
2. This is quite wrong.

5. An Adverb comes before or after the object, but no at all between the Transitive verb and Object; as,

1. I shall always do my duty.
2. He has never deceived us.

6. An Adverb is placed first in a sentence (i) to qualify the whole sentence, (ii) for emphasis, or (iii) for exclamation; as,

1. Fortunately, no one was hurt. (For qualifying a whole sentence).
2. Down fell the lorry into the river. (For emphasis).
3. How old he is! (For exclamation).