§ 1. The adverb is a part of speech, which expresses some circumstances that attend an action or state, or points out some characteristic features of an action or a quality.

The function of the adverb is that of an adverbial modifier. An adverb may modify verbs (verbals), words of the category of state, adjectives and adverbs.

Annette turned her neck lazily, touched one eyelash and said: "He amuses Winifred." (Galsworthy)

And glancing sidelong at his nephew he thought... (Galsworthy)

For a second they stood with hands hard clasped. (Galsworthy)

And now the morning grew so fair, and all things were so wide-awake. (Dickens)

The man must have had diabolically acute hearing. (Wells)

Harris spoke quite kindly and sensibly about it. (Jerome)

§ 2. As to their structure adverbs are divided into:

(1) Simple adverbs (long, enough, then, there etc.);

(2) Derivative adverbs (slowly, likewise) forward, headlong etc.); (The most productive adverb-forming suffix is -ly. There are also some other suffixes: -wards, -ward, -long, -wise.)

(3) Compound adverbs (anyhow, sometimes, nowhere etc.);

(4) Composite adverbs (at once, at last etc.).

§ 3. Some adverbs have degrees of comparison.

(a) If the adverb is a word of one syllable, the comparative degree is formed by adding -er and the superlative by adding -est.

fast — faster — fastest

hard — harder — hardest

(b) Adverbs ending in -ly form the comparative by means of more and the superlative by means of most.

wisely — more wisely — most wisely

beautifully—more beautifully—most beautifully

(c) Some adverbs have irregular forms of comparison:

well —better—best

badly — worse —- worst

much — more — most

little — less — least

§ 4. According to their meaning adverbs fall under several groups:

(1) Adverbs of time (today, to-morrow, soon etc.);

(2) Adverbs of repetition or frequency (often, seldom, ever, never, sometimes etc.);

(3) Adverbs of place and direction (inside, outside, here, there, backward, upstairs etc.);

(4) Adverbs of cause and consequence (therefore, consequently, accordingly etc.);

(5) Adverbs of manner (kindly, quickly, hard etc.);

(6) Adverbs of degree, measure and quantity (very, enough, half, too, nearly, almost, much, little, hardly, rather, exceedingly, quite, once, twice, firstly, secondly etc.).

Three groups of adverbs stand aside: interrogative, relative and conjunctive adverbs.

Interrogative adverbs (where, when, why, how) are used in special questions.

Conjunctive and relative adverbs are used to introduce subordinate clauses.

Some adverbs are homonymous with prepositions, conjunctions and words of the category of state.

THE PLACE OF ADVERBS IN THE SENTENCE

1. Adverbs of time – yesterday, then, yet, now, today, tomorrow, etc. – are placed at the end of the sentence or at the very beginning of it.

I went to the theatre yesterday.YesterdayI went to the theatre.

2. Adverbs of repetition and frequency – often, never, seldom, sometimes, usually, still etc. - precede the principal verb.

They never do this. He often goes there.

But with the verb to be they follow the verb.

She is still in bed. The girl is often ill

3. Adverbs of manner – kindly, badly, well, etc. and of place – here, there etc. – are usually placed after the direct object or after the verb.

Mr. Black’s wife plays the piano well.

4. If an adverb of time and an adverb of place are used together the latter precedes the former.

I’ll go there tomorrow.

5. Adverbs of degree (almost, nearly, quite, just, too, very etc.) are generally placed before adjectives or other adverbs.

I find him very clever. We know him quite well.

Mind that enough comes after the adjective.

This hat is good enough for me.

Chapter VIII

THE MODAL WORDS