Adverbs of time, place, manner, frequency and degree are the top 5 most common types of adverbs frequently used in spoken and written english communication. Adverbs describe circumstantial elements like place, time, manner, degree, cause, reason, or purpose of the performed action. These words also show how an action is happened. Usually, adverbs answers when, where, why, what extent, how far, how often, questions in the sentence.
In short, adverbs describe quality by modifying adjectives; describe action performed by modifying verbs, and show certain circumstances by modifying other advers like, when, where, cause, purpose etc. Really, adverbs make writing more meaningful, accurate and easy to understand. Here, I’m going to address Top 5 most common types of adverbs in english language.
Defining the meaning of adverb and examples
In english grammar, “Adverb” is a word, mainly used to qualify or modify other words such as, verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs in the sentence. It does so by describing quality, action, and circumstantial elements.
- He played smartly to defeat his competitor.(adverb of manner)
- We need to leave, it will rain soon. (adverb of time)
- They are discussing there in the park. (adverb of place)
- Tom is looking very nervous. (Adverb of degree)
- Maria is a champion player. She rarely looses game.(adverb of frequency)
- These are some examples of top 5 most common types of adverbs like adverbs of time, place, manner, degree, frequency etc.
Understanding role and functions of adverbs
1. Adverb Qualifies or modifies meaning of adjective
(Cyclonic disasters are very big challenge for our country) In this example, “very” is the ‘adverb of degree’ works to modify the meaning of given adjective or qualify adjective ‘Big’.
(Swimming is too difficult for me) It is also the example of degree plays the to qualify adjective — difficult.
(Her learning capacity is so weak) Here, “adverb of degree” is ‘so’ qualifies adjective — weak.
2.Adverb to qualify verbs:-
(Our teacher never emphasised on rote learning) In this case, ‘never’ is the ‘adverb of frequency’ and used to add information or qualify verb – emphasised.
(My dog has lost just now) This example shows the adverb of time to qualify verb.
(Tom always helps needy and poor) In this sentence, ‘always’ is the adverb of frequency qualify verb–helps.
3.Adverb to qualify other adverbs
(He learns so quickly) In this sentence, ‘so’ is the “adverb of degree”and used to modify even adverb – quickly.
4.Fourth function of adverb to qualify preposition:-
(He is driving right in front of the garden) Besides, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs, it also qualify or modify preposition. In this example, adverb ‘right’ which is the adverb of direction, modify preposition – in front of.
Apart from this, adverbs also qualify or modify preposition, a phrase or even any sentence.
5.Fifth function of adverb to qualify sentence
When we use adverb to qualify a sentence, it is separated by comma at the beginning of the given sentence.
Unfortunately, global warming is still out of control.
Surely, he will be defeated in this game.
Undoubtedly, he would be the undisputed leader of the nation.
Understanding Top 5 most common types of adverbs:
1.Adverb of time,
2.Adverb of place,
3.Adverb of manner,
4.Adverb of degree,
5.Adverb of frequency
A. Adverb of time that tells when something happen
“Adverbs of time” is one of the most common adverb used to describe or express a specific time in which action is happened. Simply, time’s adverbs indicate time of action in the sentence. It answers when the action is taking place. Here are useful examples of adverbs of time:
- Today, Tomorrow, Yesterday,
- Now, Late, Later, Soon, Early
- Yet, Still, Already
- Ago, Daily, For, Since, etc.
- Position of adverbs of time
At the beginning, In the middle, and In the end: Usually, in case of more than one adverbs, adverbs of time are placed at the end of the sentence. However, these adverbs can be placed even at the beginning but not always.
- We haven’t seen that tiger again
- You are too late now
- He has planned to watch live telecast of World Cup final tomorrow.
In these examples, comma isn’t necessary. Comma is essential whenever the adverbs of time is used at the beginning, to separate rest of the sentence.
- Today, she will finish her job.
- Tomorrow, I will be ready.
Here, comma is placed to separate adverbs of time from rest of the sentence
Some exceptions for position in sentence
Sometimes, there are some adverbs of time which are neither placed at the beginning nor at the end but in the middle of the sentence. Usages of some adverbs in the middle:
Later, Yet, Still
For, Since, etc.
- We will discuss it later — at the end.
- Later, I will explain you in detail — at the beginning.
- Teacher later instructed to the students — in the middle.
“Yet” adverb of time is used in the perfect present tense for negative expression.
- G-8 members haven’t reached at the final conclusion yet – at the end.
- We have yet to receive the order- in the middle.
Apart from this, “still” is used for things in continuation or continuously happening.
Whereas, “since” and for are used to express duration of time.
- I am still practicing my handwriting.
- Here, the process is still continue.
- “Still” is also used to express contrasts between two incidents in the form of adversative conjunction.
- They have been waiting for two hours.
- “For” describes the duration of action.
- He has been learning since last month.
- “Since” indicates the point of time of action.
B. Adverb of place that tells where something happen
Adverb of place is the second most common adverb that describes the specific aspects of place or location in which action is performed or happened. Unlike the adverbs of time, adverbs of place is used to modify or qualify action verbs. They answers where the action is taking place.
First of all, take a look at the following examples of adverbs of place.
- Above, Below,
- Up, Down,
- Far, Near Away,
- Within, Without,
- In, Out,
- Here There, Anywhere, Across,
- East, West, North, South,(directions) Everywhere, Nowhere, etc.
These are some important adverbs we use in our day-to-day operations.
Usages of adverbs of place: position, direction, and distance of an action happening.
Direction of action
These adverbs are used to describe the position, directions, and distance of the action, performed in the given sentence.
- Currently, cyclone is moving northward.
- He is walking in the garden.
- River flows across the floodplain.
Position of adverbs of place
- He is swimming across the river.
- I can drive my car in the central zone.
In the first example, “across the river” is an adverbial phrase used to describe the location of swimming. It immediately follows the verb because of there is no object.
However, in the second example, adverbial phrase is following the direct object of the sentence.
We can use variety of forms of adverbs of place like – words, phrases, and adverbial clauses. Adverbs of place have different rules for position in the given sentence.
Generally, these adverbs are used before the adverbs of time when both are used in the same sentence. In case of direct object, it is placed immediately after the object, otherwise, without object, placed after the main verbs.
What does adverbial phrase mean?
So far, we have learnt earlier that adverbial prepositional phrase can be used as adverbial complement. Here as well, adverbial complements are termed as adverbial phrase and functions like adverbs of time.
Examples – in the ground, across the grassland, out of the stadium, etc. Like adverbs of time, adverbs of place are also used at the beginning of the sentence with comma.
- In the Himalayan region, the incidents of cloudburst are increasing since a decade.
- In this district, government is planning to build first expressway.
Examples of adverbs of place showing directions or Movements East, west, north ,south (directions)
- Up
- down,
- forward,
- downward, directions + wards (movements)
Clearly, there is no fixed boundary to restrict the ambit of the use of adverbs of place. Nevertheless, with constant practice, the mastery can be achieved.
C. Adverb of manner that tells how something happen
Adverbs of manner answer the “how” question in sentence. It is used to describe the manner of performed action. These adverbs of manner are formed by adding – ly suffix at the end of the adjectives. Take a look at the following examples:
- Brilliantly,
- Slowly,
- Wonderfully,
- Beautifully,
- Bravely,
- Secretly,
- Clearly,
- Technically, etc.
(He is technically sound player) In this example, technically adverb is modifying the adjective – sound.
(She walks regularly in the morning) Here, regularly adverb is modifying the verb – walks.
(They are walking so slowly and definitely) They would be late. In this example, “slowly” adverb is modifying the adverb – so.
All the three examples show how the adverbs of manner modify the adjectives, verbs, and adverbs in the sentence.
Position of adverb of manner
In terms of position of adverbs of manner, they are placed or follow immediately after main verbs.
But, whenever these adverbs are used along the other adverbs in the same sentence, then, in such sentences, these adverbs are placed earlier than the adverbs of place and time.
(He drives the ball strongly) Here, “strongly” is placed immediately after the direct object as it is transitive sentence. But, in case of intransitive sentence, such adverbs are generally placed immediately after the main verbs.
(She writes quickly on the white board) In this example, adverb “quickly” is placed immediately after the main verbs as it is intransitive sentences. Besides, these adverbs are also used before the adverbs of place as well.
(They carelessly in the first hour) This sentence shows that such adverbs are always placed before the adverb of time.
Single – word, adverbial phrase, and adverbial clauses are also used as adverbs in sentences to modify respective words.
Position of adverb of manner in transitive and intransitive sentences
In the transitive sentences, adverbs of manner is placed immediately after the direct object. However, in case of intransitive sentences, these adverbs are placed or follow the main verbs.
- You are progressing steadily. (It follows the main verb)
- He is writing his paper hurriedly.(It follows the direct object)
- She has taken that decision hastily.(It follows the direct object)
These are some useful examples showing the position of adverbs in the transitive and intransitive sentences.
Furthermore, like other adverbs, these are placed at the beginning of the sentence with comma to qualify the sentence. Now, you might have got the answer for how to use adverbs of manner.
D. Adverb of degree that tells how far and how much something is
Adverbs of degree are used to answer “How far?” or “How much?” questions while qualifying or modifying verbs or adjectives in the sentence. These adverbs of degree express or indicate the degree, intensity, quantity or extent of action performed in the sentence. Like other adverbs, these adverbs are also used to modify and qualify verbs, adverbs, and adjectives.
- It is extremely difficult to live in the Antarctica region.
- Mont Blanc pens are pretty expensive.
- I am very enthusiastic to visit national park.
- To control the ongoing loss of biodiversity is too difficult for the conserving agencies.
- You are completely free to take decision.
In the above examples, extremely, pretty, very, too, and completely are used as the adverbs of degree. Some useful examples of adverbs of degree:
- Really, Little, Enough,
- Much, Too, Partly,
- So, Utterly, Fully,
- Completely,
- Slightly, Extremely,
- Absolutely, Unusually
Adverbs of degree: Grading and Non-grading adverbs.
Grading adverbs are used to describe mild, medium, and strong degree. Whereas, other non-grading adverbs are preferred for absolute degree.
(I’m really enjoying the game) In this example, adverb “really” is used for strong degree. Hence, we call it grading adverb.
(You are absolutely right) “Absolutely” adverb is used to describe the absolute degree. So, it is called the non-grading adverb.
(They are quite certain about positive result) It is used for strong degree and called grading adverb.
(He will undoubtedly win the match) It is non-grading adverb as it describes the absolute state.
- This summer is unusually hot compare to last.
- The recipe was very sweet.
Both examples belong to grading adverb.
(Water in the pot is fully boiling. It is non-grading adverb)
How to use grading and non-grading adverbs
In the first subordinating clause, grading adverb is used. Whereas, in the second main clause, non-grading adverb is used.
- The storm has completely destroyed the standing crops. This is an example of non-grading adverb.
- The attempts to control rising temperature look utterly futile. It is non-grading adverb.
- Reducing weight within short period of time seems fairly difficult. It is both grading and non-grading adverb.
Position of adverb of degree: at the beginning, before the word it modify
The adverbs of degree are always placed before the verbs, adverbs, and adjectives in the sentence. Sometimes, these adverbs are placed at the beginning of the sentence with comma to qualify the sentence.
- Definitely, he will win this competition.
- Undoubtedly, one day we will be the victim of climate change.
In both examples, these are used to qualify the sentence. But, these adverbs are also called transition words.
In this ways adverbs of manner and degree are used to bring clarity regarding how and how much of action taking place in the expression.
E. Understanding adverb of frequency
- Always,
- Usually,
- Often,
- Sometimes,
- Occasionally
These are some notable examples of adverb of frequency. Such adverbs simply describe the time interval in which an action is performed.
- Brad always take green tea before breakfast.
- Tom never missed his schedule.
- Most of the time, I usually go to the park after dinner.
- I rarely watch cricket matches.
In these examples, always, never, usually, and rarely are used to describe time interval of action happening. Theirs role is to rell how often the action is taking place.
Definite and indefinite adverbs of frequency
There are two types of adverb of frequency. One is definite adverb and second is indefinite adverb of frequency. Definite adverbs describe specific time interval of action happening. While, indefinite adverbs indicate general time interval.
Using Indefinite adverbs of frequency
Indefinite adverbs indicate broad range of certainty of action happening. following is the sequence of decreasing possibility of some useful adverbs of frequency. Let’s take a look:
Always: 100%
Usually
Often
Sometimes
Occasionally
Rarely
Hardly ever
Never: 0%
Indefinite adverbs of frequency are placed before action verbs they modify like:
- She never went out for a tour.
- He rarely participates in social work.
- Tom hardly pays our bills.
These adverbs hardly placed after the action they describe. Also, there is no example to indicate at the beginning and end of the sentence.
How to use definite adverbs of frequency
Definite adverbs are used to express definite frequency of action happening. Daily,” “weekly,” “monthly,” “yearly,” “hourly, are some examples of definite advebs of frequency.
- He checks his portfolio daily.
- The train runs weekly on Sunday.
- They charge rent monthly.
- Many couples celebrate theirs marriage anniversary yearly.
- Don’t worry. The bus runs hourly.
- Sir teaches us english grammar twice a week.
Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, hourly, and twice a week are definite adverbs of frequency. Unlike indefinite adverbs of frequency, these adverbs are generally placed at the end of the sentence. Surely, definite adverbs provide exact information regarding time intervals.
In short, definite adverbs of frequency indicate exact information of how often action is happening. Whereas, indefinite doesn’t tell precise information but possibilities of how often action is taking place.
Definite adverbs of frequency are placed at the end of the sentence. While indefinite adverbs of frequency are placed before words or verbs they describe or modify.