Types of Adverbs
There are different kinds of adverbs expressing different meanings . The following are some of the common ones:
Adverb of time
An adverb of time tells us when something is done or happens . We use it at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. We use it as a form of emphasis when we place it at the beginning.
Adverbs of time include afterwards , already , always , immediately , last month , now , soon , then , and yesterday .
Examples:
- He collapsed and died yesterday .
- His factory was burned down a few months ago .
- Last week , we were stuck in the elevator for an hour.
Adverb of place
An adverb of place tells us where something is done or happens . We use it after the verb, direct object or at the end of a sentence. Adverbs of place include words such as above , below , here , outside , over there , there , under , and upstairs .
Examples:
- We can stop here for lunch.
- The schoolboy was knocked over by a school bus.
- They rushed for their lives when fire broke out in the floor below .
Adverb of manner
An adverb of manner tells us how something is done or happens . Most adverbs of manner end in –ly such as badly , happily , sadly , slowly , quickly , and others that include well , hard and fast .
Examples:
- The brothers were badly injured in the fight.
- They had to act fast to save the others floating on the water.
- At the advanced age of 88, she still sang very well .
Adverb of degree
An adverb of degree tells us the level or extent that something is done or happens . Words of adverb of degree are almost , much , nearly , quite , really , so , too , very , etc.
Examples:
- It was too dark for us to find our way out of the cave. (Before adjective)
- The referee had to stop the match when it began to rain really heavily. (Before adverb)
- Her daughter is quite fat for her age.
- The accident victim nearly died from his injuries.
- After all these years, she is still feeling very sad about her father’s death.
Adverb of frequency
An adverb of frequency tells us how often something is done or happens . Words used as adverbs of frequency include again , almost , always , ever , frequently , generally , hardly ever , nearly , nearly always , never , occasionally , often , rarely , seldom , sometimes , twice , usually and weekly .
Examples:
- They were almost fifty when they got married.
- He hardly ever says something nice to his wife.
- While overseas, he frequently phoned home.
- She is not nearly always right although she thinks she is always right.
- He complained that she never smiled back.
- We only write to each other very occasionally .
- Peter seldom reads the Bible.
- Sometimes he stays late in the office to complete his work.
- Our cat was bitten twice by the same dog.
- A man usually proposes marriage.