Adverb

Adverb is a word used for describing verb, adjective and adverb itself. But here I will tell you more about it. It may be used to show time, manner, place and so on. We can ask question by using question words how, when, and where. Look at the examples below!

His father drives his old car slowly. It will be out of order if he drives it fast.

Riri looks different today. She is very beautiful with her new clothes.

My mother goes to Market on foot at 7 in the morning everyday.

In the first example above we can ask question by using question word ‘how’; How does his father driver his old car? The answer is he drives his old car slowly. “Slowly’ here is called as adverb because it describes a verb ‘drive’. It comes from an adjective ‘slow’ added by ‘-ly’ it become an adverb. Meanwhile in the second example it is different function, it is not used to describe verb ‘is’ but it is used to emphasize the meaning of an adjective ‘beautiful’. We can ask question how she looks like today. The answer is she is very beautiful. ‘Very’ here is called as an adverb because it emphasizes the adjective ‘beautiful’ not ‘is’.

We are not only able to use question word ‘how’ but we also can use other question words such as where and when. In the third example above, we see that to ask ‘Market’ we use ‘where’ because it is asked about the place; Where does your mother go on foot at 7 in the morning everyday? The answer is Market. And then when we ask ‘at 7 in the morning everyday’ we can use ‘when’; When does your mother go to market? The answer is at 7 in the morning everyday.

Well, to make it easier to understand, I will tell you the kinds of adverbs. Here they are:

1.      Adverb of manner

The example ‘slowly’ above is about adverb of manner. It tells how someone or something does. It can be made with the words by, on, and -ly. However, it is not the same used. When we use ‘on or by’ we cannot put adjective or other parts of speech instead of noun. Look at the example below! 

·   By or on+ tool (noun)

My mother goes to market on foot.

His teacher goes to Campus by car.

Her aunt and Novly come to Indonesia by plane.

However, when we use suffix –ly, it should be preceded by an adjective. Let’s see how it is formed below!

·   Adjective + -ly

She is dancing beautifully.

The English students do the English examination seriously.

She asks a question clearly but it is hard to answer.

2.       Adverb of place/direction

Another adverb is adverb of time or adverb of direction. It is used to describe place or direction such as in the class, at home, in the corner, in the left of the road and so on.

Example

When she calls him, he is in the class studying English.

The post office is in the corner of that building.

You can find Basic English Course in the left of the road.

3.       Adverb of time

We always find this adverb when we ask question by using question word ‘when’ or sometimes ‘what time’. This adverb tells when something happens or when the action takes place; for example, at 7 o’clock, in the afternoon, tomorrow and so on. Look at the sentence examples below!

The writing lecturer starts lecturing at 4 in the afternoon.

Henry’s uncle will be visiting Pontianak museum tomorrow morning.

I plan to go to Java next year.

4.       Adverb of degree

Example

My sister is very beautiful but my brother is rather ugly.

It is too hard to understand. I need a teacher to explain it to me.

I really want to show you my new house.

I do hope you can pass the exam this year.

5.       Adverb of frequency

Example

What do you always do at your home?

They often cheat their friend, Retno, in the class.

Willy is really lazy. She usually asks her brother to wash all her clothes.

6.       Adverb of quantity

Example

I need little water to wash my hand.

His bag is twice bigger than my bag is.

Few students were injured in the accident yesterday.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

7.       Interrogative adverb

This adverb is about question words. When we ask someone to give more information, we always use question words such as what, when, why, where, and so on. Those questions word can also be called as interrogative adverb. Look at the examples below!

When will you visit me?

How does she go to Campus?

Why was your lecturer angry with you?

The bold words in the example sentences above are called as interrogative adverbs.

8.       Relative adverb : therefore, moreover, besides

This adverb can also be called as conjunctive adverb. This adverb uses the same words as conjunctive adverb. Look at the example below and then open my previous posting. It was about conjunction.

He can understand what conjunction is; therefore, he decides to continue studying about adverb.

It is too hard for the English learners to do; moreover, their English teacher asks them to vary it.

 Besides you learn English grammar, you should practice it when you are speaking.

Now you see the bold words in the example sentences above. They are the same words as conjunctive adverb, aren’t they? You do not need to ask what is the different between both materials because it cannot be differed.