Adverb Phrase

Adverb Phrase

4a. Introduction to Adverb and Adverb Phrase

*  What is an Adverb?

==> An Adverb is a word used to modify a Verb, an Adjective, another Adverb and a sentence.

            Examples:

-          She runs fast.

-          He runs very fast.

-          Virak is a very good student.

-          They speak English very slowly.

-          However, she said nothing.

*  What is an Adverb Phrase?

==> An Adverb Phrase is a group of words that has an adverb as its head.

Examples:

-          I get along very well with her.

-          She gets out of bed very slowly.

-          There’s such a demand, we can’t make these pens fast enough.

-          Don’t just shove the books into the cupboard any old how, put them away carefully.

 4b. The structure of Adverb Phrase

==> In the table below will show you the structure and some examples of Adverb phrase.

Tthe Adverb Phrase in English
FUNCTION			Premodifier	Head	Postmodifier
	(a)			quietly
E	(b)		quite	honestly
X	(c)		very	hard	indeed
A	(d)			however
M	(e)		really	early
P	(f)		so very	well	indeed
L	(g)		too	quickly	to see well
E	(h)			likely	enough for us
S	(i)			formerly	of Cincinnati
	(j)		more	easily	than ever
FORM					Adverb
			Adverb	Adverb	Prepositional Phrase
			Adverb Phrase		Infinitive Clause

            ==> In the diagram below will show you more about the structure of Adverb phrase

4c. The Functions of Adverb Phrase

            There are three main functions of adverb phrase.

1. Adverbial

a.        Adjunct: saying how, when, how much, etc something happens or applies.

                        Examples:

-          I don’t think John is behaving entirely rationally.

-          She plays well but her brother plays even better.

-          I so often feel that no-one is listening to me.

-          I don’t think I have checked this thoroughly enough.

b.                Disjunct: commenting on the rest of the sentence.

Examples:

-          Quite frankly, I don’t want to know you reasons.

-          Oddly enough, Sue didn’t seem to recognize us.

-          She quite obviously lying.

-          Very sensibly, she didn’t give the man her address.

c.                Conjunct: Linking sentences.

Examples:

-          I know you only wanted to help. Even so, I don’t think you should have got involved in the argument.

-          She might agree. Then again, she might not.

-          She may disapprove of what we’re doing but even then she may not actually help us.

-          Even if I don’t love her, but I like her.

2. Modifier

==> Another function of adverb phrases is, like adverbs, to modify adjectives, adverbs, and other word group, for example to say how much, or how little something is the case:

Examples:

-          I know only too well how you feel.

-          I paint purely and simply for my own pleasure.

-          You’re singing far too loudly.

-          The holiday was over much too soon.