An Adverb is a word that generally adds something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Some adverbs can also modify a phrase, a clause or a whole sentence.
Adverb : Definition, Example
An Adverb generally qualifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb; but it also qualifies a sentence or any part of speech except a Noun or a Pronoun.
Some Definitions of “Adverb” are as follows :
- “An adverb qualifies anything except a Noun or a Pronoun.” – J. C. Nesfield
- “An Adverb is a word used to qualify any Part of Speech except a Noun or Pronoun.” – J. C. Nesfield
- “An adverb is a word used to add something to the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb.” – Wren & Martin
- “An Adverb is a word which modifies the meaning of a verb, an Adjective or another Adverb.” – Wren & Martin
For example,
Very, now, slowly, quickly, here, near, carefully, etc.
- She is a very beautiful girl.
In this sentence, “very” is an adverb. It modifies the adjective “beautiful”. - I walk slowly.
Here, “slowly” is an adverb. It modifies the verb “walk”. - He sings extremely well.
In this sentence, “extremely” is an adverb. It modifies another adverb “well”. - The boy comes here daily.
In this sentence, “daily” is an adverb.
Adverbs modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, often indicating time, place, manner, degree, or frequency.
Types of Adverb
Adverbs are divided into three main categories. These are as follows :
- Simple Adverb
- Relative Adverb
- Interrogative Adverb
What is Simple Adverb?
A Simple Adverb simply modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, phrase, or sentence. It denotes time, place, number, manner, frequency, degree, affirmation, or negation. Simple adverbs provide information about how, when, where, how often, or to what degree something happens.
For example,
fast, well, today, soon, etc.
- She can run fast
Here, “fast” is a Simple Adverb. - He reads well.
Here, “well” is a Simple Adverb.
Types of Simple Adverb
Simple Adverbs can be classified into 7 types.
- Adverb of Time
- Adverb of Place
- Adverb of Manner
- Adverb of Degree
- Adverb of Frequency
- Adverb of Reason or purpose
- Adverb of Affirmation and Negation
Adverb of Time
An Adverb of Time shows the time or moment of doing the work. We use Adverbs of Time to add the information of “When”. Adverbs of time indicate when an action takes place.
Examples of Adverb of Time
Today, tomorrow, yesterday, now, then, before, ago, since, seldom, often, already, always, once, twice, thrice, again, soon, late, daily, early, frequently, immediately, instantly, soon, formerly, etc.
- I went there yesterday.
In this sentence, “Yesterday” is an Adverb. - I will come soon.
In this sentence, “soon” is an Adverb. - He will go to Mumbai tomorrow.
In this sentence, “tomorrow” is an Adverb. - She comes here daily.
In this sentence, “daily” is an Adverb.
Adverb of Place
An adverb of place indicates where an action takes place. We use Adverb of Place to add information regarding “where”. They provide information about the location of the action.
Examples of Adverb of Place
Here, there, far, near, hither, thither, nearby, away, hence, thence, abroad, ahead, locally, universally, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere, etc.
- Go there.
In this sentence, “there” is an Adverb. - Come here.
In this sentence, “here” is an Adverb.
Adverb of Manner
Adverb of manner describes how an action is performed. We use the adverb of manner to add information regarding “how” or “in what way”.
Examples of Adverb of Manner
Thus, so, well, clearly, slowly, steadily, correctly, bravely, badly, softly, sadly, easily, quickly, carefully, carelessly, suddenly, simply, swiftly, soundly, possibly, probably, luckily, widely, wrongly, fortunately, unfortunately, urgently, rightly, naturally, beautifully, etc.
- He speaks English well.
In this sentence, “well” is an Adverb. - Our army fought bravely.
In this sentence, “bravely” is an Adverb. - He solved the problem easily.
In this sentence, “easily” is an Adverb.
Adverbs of Manner show how a thing is done.
Adverb of Degree or Quantity
An Adverb of Degree shows the degree or extent to which the work has been done. We use the Adverb of Degree to add information regarding “how much” or “to what degree or extent”.
Examples of Adverb of Degree
Too, very, almost, fully, wholly, completely, partly, much, deeply, totally, entirely, somewhat, altogether, little, rather, enough, half, greatly, poorly, strongly, extremely, nearly, quite, fully, partly, etc.
- The mangoes are almost ripe.
In this sentence, “almost” is an Adverb. - He is too careless.
In this sentence, “too” is an Adverb. - I am very happy.
In this sentence, “very” is an Adverb.
Adverbs of degree modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs to indicate the extent, intensity, or degree of an action, quality, or state.
Adverb of Frequency or Number
Adverbs of frequency indicate how often something happens. We use the Adverb of Frequency to add information regarding “how often”. These adverbs tell about the frequency of work.
Examples of Adverb of Frequency
often, seldom, always, once, never, frequently, again, twice, thrice, repeatedly, regularly, yearly, weekly, constantly, etc.
- I often meet him.
In this sentence, “often” is an adverb. - A barking dog seldom bites.
In this sentence, “seldom” is an adverb.
Adverbs of Frequency provide information about the frequency of an action, event, or state.
Adverb of Reason
An Adverb of Reason shows the reason behind doing a particular task. We use the Adverb of Reason to add information regarding “why”. These adverbs provide a reason for an action or situation.
Examples of Adverb of Reason
Therefore, so, hence, etc.
- I, therefore, could not go there.
In this sentence, “therefore” is an Adverb.
Adverbs of Reason help to clarify why something happened or is happening.
Adverb of Affirmation and Negation
Adverbs of Affirmation or Negation express affirmation or negation. Adverbs of affirmation confirm or assert that something is true. On the other hand, Adverbs of Negation are used to deny something.
Examples of Adverb of Affirmation
Yes, surely, certainly, definitely, absolutely, truly, indeed, undoubtedly, etc.
- She will definitely help the poor.
In this sentence, “definitely” is an Adverb. - India will certainly win.
In this sentence, “certainly” is an adverb.
Examples of Adverb of Negation
Not, never, etc.
- I shall never forget his contribution.
In this sentence, “never” is an Adverb. - She did not go to school
In this sentence, “not” is an Adverb.
Adverbs of affirmation and negation are used to indicate agreement, confirmation, or denial of a statement.
Relative Adverb
The Relative Adverbs are used to join or relate two sentences. The relative adverbs “where”, “when”, and “why” provide additional information about a place, time, or reason.
- “A Relative Adverb, like a Relative Pronoun, relates or refers back to its Antecedent.” – Wren & Martin
Examples of Relative Adverb
Where, why, when, etc.
- Show me the house where he was born.
In this sentence, “where” is a Relative adverb. - She told me the reason why she didn’t go there.
In this sentence, “why” is a Relative adverb.
Interrogative Adverb
When Adverbs are used for asking questions, they are called Interrogative Adverbs. Interrogative adverbs typically seeks information about manner, place, time, reason, or degree. These adverbs often begin questions. These adverbs are important for forming questions.
Examples of Interrogative Adverb
Where, why, when, how, etc.
- Where is Shuvo ?
In this sentence, “Where” is used as an Interrogative Adverb. - When did she come ?
In this sentence, “When” is used as an Interrogative Adverb. - Why are you late ?
In this sentence, “Why” is used as an Interrogative Adverb. - How did you go there ?
In this sentence, “How” is used as an Interrogative adverb. - When did you go to school yesterday ?
In this sentence, “When” is used as an Interrogative adverb.
FAQs
What is the meaning of Adverb in Hindi ?
The meaning of Adverb in Hindi is क्रिया विशेषण.
How to identify an adverb?
There are many adverbs. But most of the adverbs end with the suffix “-ly”. If you see “-ly” at the end of a word, you can consider it as an adverb.
For example,
Kindly, quickly, deeply, clearly, slowly, totally, carefully, beautifully, etc.
This is the easiest way to identify an Adverb.