Adverb| Definition, Classes, Types, Examples

An Adverb is one of the basic Parts of Speech that can be defined as a Word or a group of words used to add some meaning to a Verb, an Adjective, or another Adverb. It means that the basic functionality of an Adverb is to modify the meaning of,

• an adverb in the sense of “to what extent”- tells about the capacity of a noun to do some specific task,
• an adjective in the sense of “in what degree”,- tells about how much or how less, a quality can be associated with a thing,
• a verb in the sense of “in what matter”- tell about how or in what direction, a task can be performed.

However, in addition to that, an Adverb can also be used to modify the Phrases, and the meaning of whole Sentences.

Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs can be divided into different kinds, based on the meaning and function that they add to a Verb, an Adjective, or another Adverb. Following are different kinds of adverbs.

1. Adverbs of Time
2. Adverbs of Frequency
3. Adverbs of Place
4. Adverbs of Manner
5. Adverbs of Degree or Quantity
6. Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation
7. Adverbs of Reason

Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of Time can be defined as the type of Adverbs that are used to tell about the timing, frequency, and duration of an action. It means that Adverbs of Time tell about at what time an action occurs, how often an action occurs, or how long an action occurs. Following are some examples of Sentences in which Adverbs of Time are used.

1. She has seen it before.
2. They will now begin to work.
3. That day we met him late.
4. He hurt his finger yesterday.
5. Wasted time never returns.

Adverbs of Frequency

Adverbs of Frequency are those that can be used to tell about the frequency of an action. That is, these Adverbs are used to tell how often an action occurs. Following are some Sentence examples in which Adverbs of Frequency are used to tell how often an action can occur.

1. She has told him twice.
2. They seldom meet him.
3. We always try to do our best.
4. They often offer their services.
5. She frequently comes unprepared.

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of Place are that type of Adverbs that are used to tell about the position and location at which the action had been taking place. It means that Adverbs of Place tells about in which direction and at what place, an action has been occurred. Following are some examples in which Adverbs of Place are used to modify the location and position of an action.

1. The little lamb followed Mary everywhere.
2. They looked up.
3. My sister is out.
4. The horse galloped away.
5. Is Mr. John within?

Adverbs of Manner

Adverbs of Manner are that type of Adverbs that are used to describe “how an action is performed”. It means that Adverbs of Manner are used to tell in which manner, an action can be performed. Following are some examples of Adverbs of Manner are used.

1. He slept soundly.
2. Slowly and sadly they laid us down.
3. They should not do so.
4. We fought bravely.
5. This story is well written.

Adverbs of Degree or Quantity

Adverbs of Degree are the types of Adverbs that are used to tell about the intensity, extent, or degree of an action. It means that Adverbs of Degree or Quantity are used to tell about with how much intensity, an action can be performed. Following are some examples of Sentences in which Adverbs of Degree are used.

1. We are quite wrong.
2. They are rather busy.
3. She is partly right.
4. He is as tall as his brother.
5. They are altogether mistaken.

Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation

Adverbs of Affirmation are that type of Adverbs that are used to assert the truth or certainty of a statement or an action. It means that these Adverbs are used to affirm the validity or truthfulness of a statement or an action. Following are some sentences in which Adverbs of Affirmation are used.

1. She will definitely attend the meeting tomorrow.
2. I absolutely agree with your opinion on the matter.
3. He is clearly the best candidate for the job.

Adverbs of Negation are the type of adverb that is used to express negative thoughts about a statement or an action. These Adverbs are generally used to tell the answer of the question,” To what extent is something not true”. Following are some examples of Sentences in which Adverbs of Negation are used.

1. She has never been to that restaurant before.
2. They are hardly ever late for their appointments.
3. He definitely did not understand the instructions.

Adverbs of Reason

Adverbs of Reason are that type of Adverbs that are used to tell the reason behind the occurrence of something. It means that Adverbs of Reason are used to tell why an action occurs. Following are some sentences in which Adverbs of Reason are used.

• She is hence unable to refute the charge.
• We therefore left the meeting.

Classes of Adverbs

All the Adverbs can be classified into the following 3 classes based on the function intensity of Adverbs that they convey while expressing a statement or an action.

1. Simple Adverbs
2. Interrogative Adverbs
3. Relative Adverbs

Simple Adverbs

Simple Adverbs are single-word Adverbs that modify Verbs, Adjectives, or other Adverbs without additional affixes or complexity. They often provide basic information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs.

These Adverbs are simple Adverbs and are not derived from other combined with other elements.

Interrogative Adverbs

Interrogative Adverbs are all those Adverbs that are used to ask a question.

Relative Adverbs

Relative Adverbs are adverbs that introduce relative clauses and relate the clause to a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They function similarly to relative pronouns, but instead of referring to a person or thing, they refer to time, place, or reason.

Relative adverbs help connect descriptive information to the main part of the sentence, providing additional context or details.