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Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases

Laura Galindo. Adapted from New English File Upper-Intermediate. Oxford.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Use: Adverbs can describe an action.

He walked slowly.
They can also modify adjectives or other adverbs. Its incredibly expensive. He works very hard.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Form:

Adverbs can consist of just one word, (often, slowly..) or a phrase (once a week, all day).
There are many types of adverbs depending on the meaning they convey, e.g adverbs of manner, of frequency, degree, etc.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of manner: Adverbs of manner describe how something is done. They usually go after the verb or phrase.
I dont understand you when you speak quickly.

However, with passive verbs they usually go in mid-position (before the main verb but after the auxiliary). The driver was seriously injured.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of frequency:
They express how often an action is done and they go before the main verb, except when the verb to be is the main verb, in this case the go afterwards.

I never have breakfast. Hes always late.


Some adverbs of frequency (sometimes, usually, normally, etc.) can also go at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. Usually, I have lunch at 1 pm.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of time: They indicate when an action is done and they go at the end of a sentence or clause.
Theyll be here soon. It rained all day yesterday.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of degree: They describe how much an action is done. They can also modify an adjective.
Were incredibly tired.

He works a lot.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of degree: Extremely, incredibly, very, etc. are used with adjectives and adverbs and go before them.
Hes extremely tall. Shes very mature for her age.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of degree: Much and a lot are often used with verbs and go after the verb or the verb phrase. I smoke a lot.

She doesnt go out much.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Adverbs of degree: A little, a bit can be used with adjectives or verbs. Im a bit tired.

She sleeps a bit in the afternoon.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Comment adverbs: They give the speakers opinion about what its being said or written. They usually go at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Unfortunately, we arrived half an hour late. Ideally, we should leave at 10.

Adverbs & Adverbial Phrases


Most other adjectives go in mid position.
I just need ten more minutes.
She didnt even say goodbye.

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