3. CLASSIFICATIONS OF ADVERBS IN ENGLISH
3.1 Definition of Adverbs
Adverbs are descriptive words that add to the meaning of a verb, an adjective, another adverb or a preposition.
For examples:
move silently silently describes the verb move remarkably cool remarkably describes the adjective cool
very slowly very describes the adverb slowly half-way cross half-way describes the preposition across
Here I will explain classifications of adverbs in English one by one.
3.2 Simple Adverbs
Thomson and Martinet 1986:24 states that simple adverbs, adverbs can be
devided in six parts namely Adverbs of time, Adverbs of place, adverbs of number, Adverbs of manner, quality
, or state, Adverbs of quantity, extent, or degree, Adverbs of affirming
or denying.
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3.2.1 Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time is an adverb is used to show the time. Adverbs of time consists of: now, then, since, before, ago, already, soon, immediately, instantly, presently, late,
lately, early, afterwards, to-day, yesterday, tomorrow, etc. For examples:
• I did this before • I went to Bali yesterday
• You must work it as soon as possible • You must go to the mosque now
• I have never been seen him before
3.2.2 Adverbs of Number
Adverbs of number is an adverb is used to state the number. Adverbs of number consists of: once, twice, thrice, again, firstly, secondly, thirdly, always, never,
often, seldom, sometimes, etc. For examples:
• She never comes to campus • I did it twice
• I have ever been in Bali thrice • Sometimes, She likes look a bat man
• I always miss you
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3.2.3 Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place is an adverb is used to show the place. Adverbs of place consists of: here, there, thence, above, below, in, out, inside, outside, hither, within,
without, far, near, etc. For examples:
• You may sit here • The shop is far from here
• My mother is out • I put money in my pocket
3.2.4 Adverbs of Manner, Quality, or State
Adverbs of manner, quality, or state is an adverb is used to state the manner, quality, or state. Adverbs of manner, quality, or state consists of: well, ill, badly, amiss,
fluently, probably, thus, so, etc. For examples:
• She did her work quickly • He did his work slowly
• She speaks arabic fluently • I finished my assignment well
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3.2.5 Adverbs of Quantity, Extent, or Degree
Adverbs of quantity, extent, or degree is an adverb is used to state the quantity, extent, or degree. Adverbs of quantity, extent, or degree consists of: very, too, quite,
much, almost, little, rather, so, half, partly, wholly, completely, entirely, totally, etc. For examples:
• He is almost a heavy eater • You are quite right
3.2.6 Adverbs of Affirming or Denying
Adverbs of affiming or denying is an adverb is used to state the affirming or denying. Adverbs of affirming or denying consists of: yea, nay, yes, no, not, by all means,
not at all, etc. For examples:
• Yes, you are quite right • He did not go after all
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3.3 Interrogative Adverbs Interrogative adverbs is adverbs is used to asking a question.
3.3.1 Time
For example: • When did you come?
• How long will you stay here?
3.3.2 Place
For example: • Where do you live?
• Where are you going? • Whence have they come?
• Whither are you going?
3.3.3 Number
For example: • How often do you eat?
• How many time you visited Bali?
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3.3.4 Manner, Quality, or State
For example: • How did you do that?
• How are you to-day?
3.3.5 Quantity or Degree
For example: • How far was that news true?
• How long time you need to finished it?
3.3.6 Cause or Reason
For example: • Why did he leave?
• Wherefore did she cry?
3.4 Relative Adverbs
These adverb has the same form with interrogative adverb but it as replacement for asking a question. So that, relative adverbs is a double part of speech. Relative
adverbs can be devided in two parts namely, Antecedent based on word and Antecedent based on meaning.
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3.4.1 Antecedent Based on Word
For example: • This is the house where we live
• Let me know the time when you will leave
3.4.2 Antecedent Based on Meaning.
For example: • The more wealth we have, the more we desire
• The sooner you come, the better for me
3.5 Degrees of Comparison in Adverb
• If the word in one syllable comparative - “er” and superlative - “est”
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Table 1. Comparative – “er” and superlative – “est”
Positive Comparative
Superlative
Late Later
Latest
Long Longer
Longest
Loud Louder
Loudest
Near Nearer
Nearest
Soon Sooner
Soonest
• An irreguler adverbs
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Table 2. An irreguler adverbs
Positive Comparative
Superlative
Well Better
Best
Ill Worse
Worst
Badly Worse
Worst
Forth Further
Furthest
Far Farther
Farthest
Much More
Most
3.6 Forming Adverbs
a Many of adverb has the same form with adjective.
For examples:
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Table 3. Forming adverbs
Adjective Adverb
Early Early
Long Long
Loud Loud
Hard Hard
Late Late
Only Only
Fast Fast
Enough Enough
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b Many adverb are modified by addition “ly” at the end of adjective. For examples:
Table 4. Forming Adverbs
Adjective Adverb
Happy Happily
Wise Wisely
Tender Tenderly
Clever Cleverly
Free Freely
Legal Legally
Accurate Accurately
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3.7 Position of Adverbs 3.7.1 Adverb Positions
Adverbs should come, if possible, next to the word or words they describe.
1. Adverbs which answer the question how are usually placed before or after the
verb or after the object. The adverb is never placed between a verb and its
object.
He worked carefully correct
He carefully injected the patient correct
He examined the patient carefully correct
He examined carefully the patient incorrect
2. Adverbs which tell how often are placed between the subject and the verb for the
simple present tense:
“We always lock the gate”
If the verb has two or more words, the adverb is put after the first word of the verb:
“We have never been robbed” If the verb is amisarewaswere, the adverb is put after the verb:
“The shops are seldom open”
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