ADVERBS AND ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

ADVERBS, ADVERBIAL PHRASES AND ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

The first thing you need to understand is that adverb is a category. An adverb is a word that can
modify mainly a verb (by expressing when, where, how the action of the verb is or was done) but
adverbs can also PRE MODIFY an adjective or adverb, usually telling how much of the
characteristic applies to the subject or to the action.

e.g Peter drives carefully

The adverb is carefully and describe the manner Peter drives (it modifies the verb drives)
He felt terribly sorry
The adverb is terribly and describes how sorry (very) he felt (it modifies the adjective sorry)
They have answered really soon.
Here, really intensifies the meaning of soon (it modifies the adverb soon)

The function of the adverb in the first example is adverbial of manner; in the second, it is pre
modifier of the adjective and in the last one, pre modifier of an adverb.
As a category, adverbs can be classified into different types according to the information they give:

Adverbs of manner carefully, slowly

Adverbs of frequency always, often
Adverbs of time now, yesterday
Adverbs of relative time already, recently, soon
Adverbs of place there, here
Adverbs of degree extremely, very, rather
Adverbs of quantity a lot, a Little, much
Adverbs of focus (or focusing) even, only, particularly

1. Find and classify the adverbs in this text:

JOHN: - So was jealousy a bit of a problem among you and your brothers?
ROBIN: - Absolutely. Jealous squabbles were always bursting out between us, and our parents could
never find a way of handling it successfully. “We can’t understand why they are all so jealous,” they
would say to people. “We try to be fair.” And they were. But because jealousy frightened and worried
them so much, we never got the chance of being properly jealous, finishing it, going through it, and
letting the feeling find its normal, natural place in our personalities. Yet, I have learned from this, and
nowadays, when families I see, complain of jealousy in their children despite the fact that they always
cut the cake equally with a ruler and give everyone penicillin when only one child has a sore throat, I
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know what to do. I usually tell them that, though they are such a nice, successful family in many ways,
they are obviously not very good at being jealous and need more practice before they come to see
me next time.

SOME POINTS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT

 Disjuncts (for example Absolutely, in the previous text) are also adverbs in their form but they
don’t function as adverbials. Disjuncts express the attitude of the speaker or writer so you may
find them as attitude markers or discourse markers.

 Adverbs of degree are divided into intensifiers, which make adjectives and other adverbs
stronger, and downtoners, which make them weaker
Intensifiers e.g extremely – very- really
Downtoners fairly, quite, rather

 Adverbs of focusing are used

- To single out information (especially, even, particularly,
specifically)
- To express some kind of restriction (just, merely, only, purely)
- To refer back to something (too, either)

 Adverbs of relative time (just, afterwards, soon, currently, presently, recently, already, still,
yet) provide information about the time of an action or event in relation to some other point of
time (often “now”)

WHAT DO ADVERBS LOOK LIKE?

We form a lot of adverbs by adding -ly to an adjective. In most cases, the meaning of the adjectives
and adverbs are very close.
He’s a careful driver. He drives carefully.
Although many adverbs end in -ly, not all words which end in -ly are adverbs. The following are
adjectives: friendly, many, likely, orderly. In these cases, we use an expression such as: in a friendly
way.
Other adjectives (e.g. difficult) have no adverb equivalent so we use the expression with difficulty in
place of an adverb.
A few adjectives which are closely related to adjectives in form don’t mean the same as the
corresponding adjective (e.g. Hardly, simply).
A number of adverbs have the same form as adjectives and there is no -ly alternative (e.g. fast, hard,
next)

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ADVERBIALS
We have said that adverbials give us extra information about the verb. Specifically, they answer the
four questions: when, where, how, why. Adverbs are, therefore, a special type of adverbial.
The point to remember is: adverbs are all adverbials but adverbials are not all adverbs.
Very briefly:

1. He went yesterday.
contains an adverb, yesterday, acting as an adverbial telling us when he left. By some definitions,
even this is really a noun acting as an adverb.
2. He went by car.
contains a prepositional phrase, by car, acting as an adverbial telling us how he travelled.
3. She spoke hurriedly.
contains an adverb, hurriedly, acting as an adverbial telling us something about her manner of
speaking.
4. She spoke because I prompted her.
contains a subordinate clause, because I prompted her, acting as an adverbial telling us why she
spoke.
In only two of the sentences above (1 and 3), is the adverbial an adverb.

TYPES OF NON-ADVERB ADVERBIALS

Any language which gives us information about the verb (where, when, why, how) can be classed as
an adverbial and taught that way. Here's an overview of the most common types of adverbials which
are not adverbs (the adverbials are in bold, italic type).

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ADVERBIAL CLAUSES are, then, the clauses introduced by a subordinating conjunction and are
always dependent clauses.
There are some punctuation issues. Adverbials, especially in the initial position are often separated
in some way from the rest of the clause. So, while:

I explained it to him in Italian.

She arrives on Thursday.
I ate good food while I was there.
etc. are all correctly punctuated, when the adverbial takes the initial position we need:

In Italian, I explained it to him.

On Thursday, she arrives .
While I was there, I ate good food.

2. Go back to the text where you have identified the adverbs and now look for
prepositional phrases (category) that function as adverbials and identify them.

3. In the following text, identify different adverbial clauses.

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 4. Rewrite the following ideas with an adverbial clause using the conjunction indicated.

a. The restaurant only accepts group bookings if a deposit is paid. (unless)

b. The conditions of the contract were too restrictive for me to accept the job. (such…that)

c. The voting station will remain open to allow all votes to be cast. (so that)

d. It is impossible to accept the building plans before we have seen the details. (after)

e. Very little of the remaining stock was sold, despite the low prices in the sale (even though)

f. The magazine had tried introducing several new features. Nevertheless, circulation continued

to drop. (although)

g. I was frozen to the bones after our walk yesterday. (when)

h. We have kept the meeting at five people because of the space we have in the office. (because)

ADJUNCTS, DISJUNCTS AND CONJUNCTS

Adverbials come in three flavours. Consider the following sentences, focusing on the bit in black:

1. I saw him yesterday afternoon.

2. Obviously, he didn't seem happy.
3. He isn't happy yet he gets on with life.

In sentence 1, we have an adjunct

Adjuncts are integrated into the sentence but their removal leaves a well-formed and understandable
sentence although we lose some information.

In sentence 2, we have a disjunct

Disjuncts are used to evaluate the form or the content of what is said. They occur outside the clause
structure itself. Removing them leaves a well-formed sentence or clause but we lose the speaker's
viewpoint. In this case, compare:
He didn't seem obviously happy
Here we have an adjunct giving us some extra information about the adjective

He obviously didn't seem happy

Here we have a disjunct expressing the speaker's attitude to the proposition that he didn't seem
happy.
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Disjuncts frequently come in the initial position before the clause to which they refer but, as we see
above, they don't have to. For effect, in speaking, we insert a pause after a disjunct and that can be
represented by punctuation in writing. For example:

Patently, John was not interested.

In sentence 3, we have a conjunct

Conjuncts are also outside the clause structure and connect ideas in sentences or between
sentences. We can rephrase Sentence 3 as:

He isn't happy. However, he gets on with life.

The word However is still a conjunct. Some conjuncts are conjunctions (like yet in example sentence
3).

The relationship can be seen like this:

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Adjuncts

Adjuncts are integral to the clause.

By far the most common and flexible adverbials are adjuncts because they perform a wide range of
functions in English.

Disjuncts

Disjuncts are outside the clause structure

These are often simple adverbs (such as honestly, candidly) but can be prepositional phrases
(e.g., from my point of view), non-finite clauses (e.g., to be honest, speaking frankly) or finite clauses
(e.g., if you ask me, if you want an honest opinion).

There are two main sorts:

 style
Style disjuncts indicate what the speaker / writer wishes the hearer / reader to understand in terms
of the way in which something is said. For example:

Frankly, I don't think he's up to the job

where the speaker is using the disjunct to make it clear that this is an honest opinion.
The disjunct personally shows that the speaker is not being general and seriously refers to a lack
of flippancy and so on.

-Prepositional phrases are slightly less common but occur in, for example:

From where I'm standing, this seems a crazy idea.

-Non-finite clauses are also rarer than simple adverbs but occur in, for example:

Being honest, I'm not really sure.

-Finite clauses are frequently conditional so we get, for example:

Unless I am very much mistake, that's incorrect

If you ask me, that's just what we need

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 attitude
Attitude disjuncts indicate how the speaker / writer feels about the content of what is being
communicated. For example, in:

Arguably, that is a false conclusion

the speaker is softening the proposition by making it clear that this is not an undeniable fact.

The disjunct obviously makes it clear that the speaker thinks something is clear to see and of
course implies that he / she thinks it is a logical deduction and so on.

Attitude disjuncts also display a mix of forms and are not only adverbs. For example:

-Finite clauses:

It seems arguable to me that this is the wrong approach

-Non-finite verbs forms:

Playing devil's advocate, I'd say that's the problem with her idea

-Prepositional phrases:

On the face of it, we need to spend more money

Conjuncts

Conjuncts connect ideas, clauses or sentences.

Conjunct or conjunction?
There is a technical and slightly arguable distinction between conjuncts and conjunctions. The usual
analysis is that conjunctions act within sentences to coordinate two ideas or to subordinate one to the
other.
These are conjunctions in black:

1. She called and I was delighted to see her.

2. The arrived late because they stopped to eat.

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In the first case, two clauses are being coordinated (one is not dependent on the other but additional
to it). In the second case, the reason following the subordinating conjunction because is dependent
on the understanding of the main clause.
These are conjuncts (in black) which serve to relate the second idea anaphorically to the first. There
is no sense of coordination or subordination but there is a strong sense of cohesion:

I was out of the house at the time. Otherwise, I'd have been delighted to see her.
She did the work competently. By contrast, his work was sloppy and the result shabby.

Conjuncts can act to:

 Enumerate → firstly, secondly, thirdly, a), b), in the first place, etc.

e.g Primarily because I haven't the money. Secondarily because it doesn't interest me.

Other examples include: finally, lastly, for a start, to begin with, at the outset

 explain or exemplify → i.e., e.g., for instance, for example, etc.

e.g. The cleverest two students, namely John and Adam, have secured their places at Oxford.

This form of conjunct is frequently used to signal apposition, i.e., co-reference as in:
e.g. The new house, that is the house on the corner, has been sold.

where The new house and the house on the corner refer to the same thing.

Other examples include: in other words, viz., that is to say, by which is meant

There is some overlap between this class and the conjuncts used to rephrase (below) as the
functions are contiguous.

 add or reinforce → again, besides, to boot, moreover, etc.

e.g. This is the next problem. Again, it is one of concern to us all.

It's expensive. What's more, it is pretty poorly made.

Other examples include: also, additionally, besides, moreover, too, what is more, further,
furthermore

 Rephrase → better put, in other words etc.

e.g. It's out of place. In other words, you could simply say it's the wrong style
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 Equate → equally, likewise etc.
e.g. The similarity between the sisters is striking. Likewise, between the two brothers.

Other examples include: in the same way, by the same token

 Show a result → consequently, as a result etc.

e.g. He lost his wallet at the station. Therefore, I had to go and help him out.

Other examples include: accordingly, hence, now, so, thus, as a result

 Replace → instead, alternatively, on the other hand etc.

e.g. She didn't come with us to the pub. Instead, she stayed in and worked on her essay.

 Sum up → so, then, in conclusion etc.

e.g. All that means, to conclude, is that we need more time and more money
Ok, then, we are happy we have a solution

 Concede and contrast → anyway, nevertheless, still etc.

e.g. I think he's a bit arrogant. Still, he is very talented, I suppose.

Other examples include:

-Conceding: however, only, though, yet, in any case, in any event, at any rate, at all events,
after all, all the same, on the other hand

I'll get to you as soon as I can. By seven, in any case.

-Contrasting: alternatively, conversely, on the contrary, au contraire, by contrast, then again

We can meet in the coffee shop. Alternatively, you could come to me.

 To change the subject → incidentally, by the way etc.

e.g. I bought this in town yesterday. By the by(e), did you know they've made the High
Street one way?

Other examples include: now, well, meanwhile, parenthetically, as an aside

You may, incidentally, see conjuncts called conjunctive adverbs, cohesive conjunctions or
transitional conjunctions.

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Error alert!

Much erroneous language or unnatural expression is caused by the failure to distinguish between
conjuncts and conjunctions. Here are some examples:

*She came to the party moreover with her boyfriend

where the speaker has failed to realise that moreover is a conjunct, not a conjunction.

*They were happy with the work. Although it cost more than they expected.
where the speaker has failed to realise that although is a conjunction, not a conjunct.

The words though and although are often presented to learners as synonyms. Conceptually, they
are but syntactically they are not. The word though can be a conjunct or a conjunction
but although is only a conjunction. We can accept, therefore:

The work was done on time. It was more expensive than I expected, though. (conjunct)
The work was done on time though it was more expensive than I expected (conjunction)
The work was done on time although it was more expensive than I expected (conjunction)

but not:
*The work was done on time. It was more expensive than I expected, although.

5. Rewrite the following ideas using the conjunct indicated

a. Can you post this letter and get me a bar of chocolate when you go to the shops? (Also)

b. These drugs heal most ulcers but they do not cure the underlying disease. (However)

c. So ulcers tend to recur after treatment has stopped. (Consequently)

d. We specialize in office services. We do payroll and bookkeeping (such as)

e. The position is paid pro rata. That means that your salary is calculated according to how many

hours you work. (that is to say)

f. It rained all the day we visited the golf tournament. We made the most of it, though (Still)

g. We put our idea into action after we had decided what to do. (Then)

h. Your reservation covers flight cancellation so you will receive full refund (Since)
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KEY TO THE ACTIVITIES IN THIS LESSON

1. Find and classify the adverbs in this text:

line 2 – always frequency

3 – never frequency
3 – successfull manner
5 – so degree (intensifier)
5 – much quantity
5 – properly manner
7 – nowadays time
8 – equally manner
9 – only focussing (restriction)
10 – usually frequency

2. Go back to the text where you have identified the adverbs and now look for
prepositional phrases (category) that function as adverbials and identify them.

line 1 – among you and your brothers – adverbial of place

2 – between us
6 – in our personality
7 – from this
8 – in their children
11 – next time - adverbial of time.

3. In the following text, identify different adverbial clauses.

Line 1 – After her….. away.

7 – Before he…. Service
8 – Although… ambitions
16 – because…… soil
18 – when he ….. frame
23 – when……. Weather
27 - before….. then
29 – when Emily…. Morning
31 - If it…wet
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 34 – when it rained a lot
37 – even though…. winter
43 – as if….. expert hand

4. Rewrite the following ideas with an adverbial clause using the conjunction indicated.

a. The restaurant doesn’t accept group booking unless a deposit is paid.

b. It was such a restrictive contract that I couldn’t accept the job
The contract included such restrictive contract that I couldn’t accept the job
c. The voting station will remain open so that all votes can be cast.
d. We will accept the building plan after we have seen the details.
e. Very little of the remaining stock was sold even though we set low prices in the sale
f. Although the magazine had tried introducing several new features, circulation continued
to drop.
g. I was frozen to the bones when we went for a walk
h. We have kept the meeting at five people because we have little space in the office.

5. Rewrite the following ideas using the conjunct indicated

a. Can you post this letter when you go to the shops? Also, could you get me a bar of
chocolate?
b. These drugs heal most ulcers. However, they do not cure the underlying disease.
Consequently, ulcers tend to recur after treatment has stopped.
c. We specialize in office services, such as payroll and bookkeeping (such as)
d. he position is paid pro rata, that is to say, your salary is calculated according to how
many hours you work.
e. It rained all day when we visited the golf tournament. Still, We made the most of it
f. We had decided what to do. Then, we put our idea into action
g. Since your reservation covers flight cancellation, you will receive full refund.

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