Download Adverb

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”ADVERBS: EXPRESSIÓN DEL MODO, MEDIOS Y EL INSTRUMENTO”.
1..Introduction: the Adverb..
According to R. Quirk the adverb class is the least satisfactory of the traditional parts
of speech, cause the adverb is a word that does not fit the definitions of other parts of
speech.
1.1Functions.
Adverbs are words which give us more information about the action performed by
the verb. They say “how”, ”where”, or “when” the action is done. They are also
qualifier of a sentence, an adjective, a prepositional phrase or another adverb.
Luckily he did not die (sentence qualifier)
He ran quickly ( verb modifier)
1.2.Form.
1.2.1.Adverbs in -ly.
The boundary between adjective and adverb is very difficult to define according to
form. Many adverbs of manner and degree are derived from adjectives and participles
by means of the adverbial suffix “- ly” but in some cases the addition of “-ly” to an
adjective forms both an adverb and a new adjective ( weakly, sickly, deadly,…)
1.2.1.1.Spelling notes:
a) consonant + “y”. The final “y” changes to “i”:
happy, happily
b) vowel + “y”. The final “y” is retained:
coy, coyly (but day, daily)
c) final “e” is retained.
Exceptions:
True/truly, due/duly, whole/wholly
d) adjectives ending in vowel + “l” double the “l”.
final, finally
e) adjectives ending in “- le” with syllabic value, change this syllable to “- ly”:
noble, nobly, simple, simply
f) adjectives ending in “-able/ible” drop the final “-e” and add “-y”.
sensible, sensibly, capable, capably
1.2.2.Suffixes used in adverb formation.
1.2.2.1.From adjectives.
a) –WARD(S) in adverbs of manner and direction:
walk backwards
b) –WAYS and –WISE: meaning “ in the manner of….”,”as far as….is
concerned”.
Place the sticks crosswise
He looked sideways at her
1.2.3.Prefixes used in adverb formation.
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There are few adverbs that have been formed from other parts of speech by the
addition of the prefix “-a”:
Ashore, aloft, abroad…..
1.2.4.adjectives in “-ly” with no adverb form.
Some adjectives ending in “- ly” cannot be used as adverbs and have no adverb
form,having to use an adverb phrase instead:
Friendly
in a friendly way
Silly
in a silly way
As a conclusion we can say that adverbs are used as modifiers to other words or
sentences.
2.Classification of adverbs.
2.1.According to form.
2.1.1.Simple.
Indivisible words: Much, quite, so, as, too, still, not, here, in, out, then, back,….
2.1.2Derivative.
Formed from adjectives and sometimes nouns and other adverbs by the addition of a
suffix:
Certainly, quietly, simply, daily, nearly,….
2.1.3.Compound.
Formed from two words, but have become so fused together that the two parts have
made a word whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual parts:
Anywhere, sometimes, however, always ,almost, already ,together,….
2.1.4.Adverbial phrases.
Formed by a group of two or more words functioning as an adverb. These groups can
be formed by:
a) two simple adverbs or a preposition + adverb:
before then, until then, just then, how far, up to now
b) also by a preposition + adjective.
At present, at all, in front, all at once
c) and finally many of them contain a noun with some other element, such as :
at the side, as a matter of fact, of course, no doubt
2.2.According to content.
2.2.1.Manner:
They express how an action was done. Most adverbs ending in “- ly” belong to this
group. They usually modify verbs and sentences:
Suddenly, well, steadly, slowly,……
2.2.2.Time.They express when an action is or was done, they generally modify the
whole sentence:
after, already, before, late, once, soon, still
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2.2.3.Frequency and repetition. They express where how often and how many times
an action is done.
always, often, frequently, never, generally,…..
2.2.4.Place and position. They express where or in what order an action is or was done,
they generally modify the whole sentence or any part of it.
here, there,
above, across, around, away, back,….
2.2.5.Degree.They express to what degree. completely, absolutely, deeply, entirely,
greatly,….
2.2.6.Quantity.they form another group that is very connected with the adverbs of
degree. Some of them are:
much, little, a lot, a great deal, quite, enough,..
3.Detailed study of process adverbials.
According to Quirk, these adverbials define in some way the process denoted by the
verb. They answer the question ”how” specifying the action is perfomed or how events
take place. These adverbials can be classified into three categories:
a) manner
b) means
c) instrument
3.1.Manner adverbials.
There are three possible ways of expressing manner:
a) adverbs( usually ending in “- ly”) and adverb phrases.
From now on we will proceed carefully
They looked backwards
Turn the wheel clockwise
b) prepositional phrases.
-in a ……………manner/way/style/fashion
-with+ abstract noun phrase
From now on we will proceed in a careful way.
From now on we will proceed with care.
A manner phrase can convey other meanings simultaneously:
1) manner with comparison:
she behaves like a queen ( in the manner of a queen)
The same meaning is expressed by manner clauses introduced by “as”.
Please do as you are told
Do as I say, no as I do
2)manner with result and intensification.
He was seriously hurt in the accident ( the result of the accident was being in a
serious condition)
3)manner with time-duration.
He was moving very slowly ( each movement took ages)
4) manner with time-when.
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Do that again ( one more time and in the manner you did it before)
3.2.Means.
“By” followed by a prepositional phrase expresses the meaning “by means of”:
I usually go to work by bicycle.
We kept ourselves warm by staying near the fireplace.
He was treated surgically.
Notice that adverbs meaning “means” or instrument” cannot be modified:
*he was treated very surgically
To express mode of transport the preposition “on” is a possible alternative to “by”:
I go to work on foot ( not by foot)
I go to work on the bus / by bus
In by-phrases of transport the article is dropped.
I go to work by (*the) bus / on the bus.
3.3.Instrument.
“With” is used to introduce prepositional phrases of instrument. ”Without” expresses
the non use of an instrument.
He jumped without a parachute
He was killed with a knife
The verb “use” with an object can have an instrumental meaning.
The murderer used a knife to kill his victim
A subject formed by a prepositional phrase denoting instrument is another possible
structure:
A knife killed him.
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