If the prototypical role for adjectives is to modify nouns, the prototypical
role for adverbs is to 'modify' or specify the circumstances under which
verbs operate. In the following sentence, the adverbs tell us when, where
and how the sun shone.
Yesterday
the sun shone
brightly
here
time
manner
place
adverb
adverb
adverb
So we could say that adverbs tie Mr Shift down ... press "play" to see
what we mean:
(b) Internal Form
Like adjectives, some adverbs compare:
Adverb
Comparative
Superlative
quickly
quicklier
quickliest
quickly
more quickly
most quickly
Rather unhelpfully, the comparative and superlative markers are the
same for the adverbs as they are for the adjectives!
(c) Function
Adverbs can function as the head of an adverb phrase ('very quickly',
'unbelievably slowly')
They can also modify adjectives ('very quick',
'unbelievably slow') and other adverbs ('very
quickly', 'unbelievably slowly').
d) Adverb mobility
Another help in spotting adverbs is the fact that they are more mobile
in sentences and clauses than the other word classes. This is especially
true of manner adverbs. Once again, press "play" to see what we mean:
Note that, although the manner adverb 'quickly' can be positioned at the
beginning or end of this sentence, in between the subject ('She') and
verb ('ate') and also in between the verb and the object ('the tutor),
it is still the case that some positions are more natural than others.
The most typical place for a manner adverb to come is at the very end
of a sentence or clause. And to place a manner adverb in between the verb
and the object, although just about possible, feels much less natural
than the other three positions.
