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Adjective

E.g. It's terribly cold today.

Past Participle
E.g. This steak is very badly cooked.

Adverbs modify
Adverb
E.g. They're playing unusually fast.

Adverbial Phrase
E.g. He was madly in love with her.

Adverbs can go different positions. Adverb + verb + object E.g. I often get headaches. Verb + object + adverb E.g. She speaks English well. Verb + adverb particle + object (noun)

On, off, out, etc. E.g. Could you switch off the light?

There are three positions of adverb. They are -

front position
(at the beginning of a clause)

mid position
(before main verb)

end position
(at the end of a clause)

Types of Adverbs

Position

Front Position
E.g. Usually I get up early. Ever, rarely, seldom cannot be used but always, never can be used in imperative clauses. E.g. Never ask her about her marriage.

Mid Position

End Position

E.g. We usually go to Scotland in August.

Adverb of indefinite frequency (sometimes, usually, etc.)

The adverb is the main focus of the message. *** E.g. I go there occasionally.

Adverb of manner (angrily, happily, etc.)

The adverb is not the main focus of the message. *** E.g. She angrily tore up the letter. The adverb is not the main focus of the message. *** E.g. Down come the rain. The adverb is not the main focus of the message. *** E.g. Today Im going to London. (maybe, perhaps) E.g. Perhaps her train is late. finally, eventually, already, soon and last can be used. E.g. I finally got a new car.

E.g. I worked hard yesterday.

E.g. Come and sit here.

Adverb of place (in.., at.., on., upstairs, here, there, etc.)

Adverb of time (today, in June, soon, every week, etc.)

E.g. Im going to London today. Definite frequency (weekly, daily, etc.) E.g. I read newspaper daily.

Adverb of certainty

(probably, certainly, obviously, etc.) E.g. I definitely feel better today. E.g. I stupidly forgot my keys.

Comment adverb (fortunately, surprisingly, etc.)

E.g. Stupidly, I forgot my keys.

Connecting adverb (then, next, etc.)

E.g. Suddenly the door opened.

E.g. It was almost dark. Adverb of completeness (completely, almost, etc.) Focusing adverb (also, just, even, only, neither, etc.) E.g. Were only going for two days.

The adverb Soon can be used in three positions. ***


E.g. Soon I will come. (Front position) I will soon come. (Mid position) I will come soon. (End position)

The adverb order is important.


Manner Place Time E.g. She sang beautifully in the town hall last night. Adverb + Main verb E.g. I always play tennis on Saturdays. Auxiliary + Adverb + Main verb E.g. She has never written to me. Verb to Be + Adverb E.g. She is always happy. When adverbs emphasize the negative, E.g. I certainly do not agree. Adverb + Negative + Main verb

When they dont emphasize the negative, E.g. I do not often have headaches. Negative + Adverb + Main verb (mild) E.g. I dont really like her. Adverb + Negative + Main verb (strong) E.g. I really dont like her.

Negative + Adverb + Main verb

Here are some examples that we should notice.


E.g. I probably will not be there. (OR) I will probably not be there. (OR) I probably wont be there. (Before a contracted negative)

Adverbs with emphatic verbs


E.g. Yes, well, I always DO say thank-you. Modal + Adverb + Auxiliary E.g. They must sometimes be bored. Adverb + Modal + Auxiliary E.g. They sometimes must be bored.

Comparison between usages of British English and American English


E.g. He has probably arrived by now. (British English normal) E.g. He probably has arrived by now. (American English normal, British English emphatic)

Emphasizing Adverbs
Adverb + Emphasize Words

E.g. Im really tired today. We can use adjectives as adverbs (informal style and American English) E.g. She talks funny.

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