Grammar-Quizzes › Adverbials › Adverbs
Adverbs
Recognize function and form
An adverb
- expresses a particular meaning: (1)"situational adverbs" add detail information about the action—manner, frequency, degree and so on; (2) "stance adverbs" include opinion (Perhaps, Sadly) or information about the circumstances under which something is being said (Frankly, Briefly); and (3) temporal adverbs that add information about timing (soon, early, late).
- functions as a modifier: to a verb (quickly, frequently, daily), to an adjective (very, rather, quite) to another adverb (too fast, so slowly, really loudly) or to a clause (Unfortunately, Sadly).
- takes form with an -ly suffix (usually, rapidly) and occasionally a -ways suffix (sideways) or -wise (otherwise) suffix. A few adverbs take no suffix (well, fast, hard, loud).
Adverb Clause is/was a term used in traditional grammar descriptions. The adverbs that were part of the traditional "adverb clause" (e.g., though, because, before, if [cond.] and so on) were reanalyzed as prepositions. Linguistic analysis determined that these words functioned more similarly to prepositions than to conjunctions or any other categories in which they had previously been placed. In addition, the description of the structures that can follow (complement) a preposition was widened to include not only a noun phrase but also a gerund, a prepositional phrase, a full clause and more. (See Prep Uses and Prep Complements.)
See Connector Overview for grammar sources.
Adverbs (below)
Adverbs as Modifiers
Adverbs
Summary of Practices
Adverb Diagnostic: identify specific English grammar points that need review
This is a grammar diagnostic page with study links.
Quiz 1: beginning–intermediate
Quiz 2: intermediate–advanced
An Adverb: recognize the ways an adverb can function in a clause
Beginning–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – multiple choice
He spoke freely. (modifies a verb)
He is very smart. (modifies an adjective)
He teaches quite creatively. (modifies an adverb)
He stopped exactly on time. (modifies a preposition phrase)
Suddenly, everyone started clapping. (modifies a clause)
Frankly, I don't understand the problem. (modifies a clause)
Adverb Suffixes: express how an action occurs
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – edit
He is an excellent tennis player.
He plays tennis excellently.
It was a hard game. (adjective)
They played hard. (adv – manner)
He hardly played. (adv– degree)
*He appears expertly. appear – seems stative verb
He appears professionally. appear – take part in a public event (dynamic verb)
Adverbs for Manner: compare the positioning of adverbs
Intermediate-Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Modifying a Clause "stance"
Practice – multiple choice
He moved silently. (verb)
He was purposefully silent. (adjective)
Quietly, he turned the dial on the safe. (sentence)
Adverbs Splitting Verbs: compare the positioning of adverbs
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice – multiple choice
I will faithfully execute the office of president...
I will execute faithfully the office of president...
Adverbs for Degree: express the intensity of an action —how much?
(Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Absolute and Non-gradable Words
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – check all that apply
Practice 3 – edit sentence
He talks excessively. (verb)
He talks extremely fast. (Adv)
He is rather talkative. (Adj)
He literally doesn't stop talking. (adv. degree)
He translated the text literally. (adv. manner)
Adverbs for Time: express the timing of an action (temporal modifiers)
Beginning–Intermediate ESL, Native Speakers
Temporal Concepts (examples)
Temporal Expressions (other categories)
The sun heats the earth. (general truth – no adverb)
I am heating some water for tea. (at the moment)
The volcano erupted on April 14 2010. (specified time)
The volcano was erupting for over month. (indefinite time)
The Tower has stood in Pisa since 1352. (permanent)
We have been standing in line for two hours. (temporary)
Adverbs for Place : express movement in a particular direction (locational modifiers)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (mc)
Practice 2 – complete the sentence (mc)
He went in.
He went inside.
He went in the house.
He went inside of the house.
Adverbs Frequency: express how often an action occurs
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Initial Placement of Negative Freq. Adverbs
Practice 1 – complete the sentence (mc)
Practice 2 – edit the sentence
We normally take the garbage out at night. (Unless something unexpected prevents this.)
We frequently take out the recyclables.
We occasionally take batteries out.
We never take hazardous waste out.
We never have much time together.
Never do we have much time together.
Adverbs for Focus: draw attention to particular information
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – complete paragraph
Only my phone can make calls to family in this area. (not my tablet)
My phone can only make calls to family in this area. (one function)
My phone can make only calls to family in this area. (not texts)
My phone can make calls only to family in this area. (not friends)
My phone can make calls to family only in this area. (not long distance)
Already v. Yet: indicate completed or delayed timing of an action
Beginning–Intermediate ESL
Already v. Yet – timing
Have yet to – before an infinitive
Positioning – initial v. medial v. final
Practice 1 – multiple choice
Practice 2 – correct / incorrect
Practice 3 – editing
The bus has already been here.
We have already waited for half an hour.
The bus hasn't come yet.
I haven't waited a long time yet.
I have yet to receive our order. (before infinitive)
We have yet begun to fight. (without a negative)
So…that / Such that: emphasize qualities and characteristics
Intermediate. ESL, Native Speaker
Practice – read & complete sentences (MC)
The meteor storm was so beautiful that we watched it all night.
It was such a beautiful meteor storm that we watched it all night.
We will learn so much interesting information that it will take years to process it. (quantity)
We will learn such interesting information that it will take years to process it. (quality)
So that / so…that: express purpose vs. effect
Intermediate– Advanced ESL, Native Speaker
We stayed up all night so that we could watch a meteor storm.
We stayed up late, so we were able to see the meteor storm as it passed.
Modifiers to Prepositions: specify more precisely the timing, location or manner of the action (adverbial phrases)
Beginning–Advanced ESL
Location—Precisely vs. Approximately
Point of View (Deixis)
Time—Precisely vs. Approximately
Practice 1 – select all that apply
Practice 2 – multiple choice
Practice 3 – edit the sentence
The batter hit the ball right here.
The player threw the ball over here.
The player threw the ball straight ahead.
The pitcher threw the ball smack into the batter's head.
He batted the ball clear out of the park.
He hit the ball way over in the bay.
Indeed / Even : emphasize unexpected or extraordinary details
Intermediate–Advanced ESL, Native Speakers
His work is indeed more amazing than before
His work is even more amazing than before
His work is in fact more amazing than before
Negative Word Forms: express absence, doubt, denial, prohibition and more (Negative Word Forms)
Beginning – Advanced ESL, native speakers
Negativity Expressed in Noun Phrases
Similar but Different Negatives
Practice 1 – identify the word form (MC)
Practice 2 – contrast word forms (MC)
No one / Not anyone has parked illegally.
His inability / disability was clear to us.
He was unsatisfied / dissatisfied.
Do not park there! We do not park there.
He would park there, wouldn't he?
We asked him not to park there.
I doubt that he *never / ever helps.
He is neither optimistic nor pessimistic.
His no nonsense approach to life is refreshing. (expression)